Address from Consul General Takaoka: Japanese Autumn Festival at the Teviot Debating Hall

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls,
Thank you for coming along to Japanese Autumn Festival.
This year we have moved to a new venue here in this Teviot Debating Hall so that more people can participate in this unique opportunity of Japan-Scotland cultural exchanges.

First of all, I would also like to express my gratitude to all of the volunteers for their hard work behind the scenes.

Today's event is a product of collaboration between the Scotland Japanese School in Livingston, Edinburgh University's Japanese Society and the Consulate General of Japan. I would like to thank Ayumi Rogers & Emiri Kikumoto for forging this cooperative relation between us.

And let me thank and recognize talented performers with us today,
Ms. Tsukiho Iwashita, a fantastic Calligrapher.
Ms Yui Gibson and Ms Macau Mayumi, shortly we will have their Sushi demonstration.
The Edinburgh City and Edinburgh University Kendo clubs.
Ms Yoshie Campbell, Ms Miho Sedgewick and Ms Hiromi Moffatwill, they will perform Japanese traditional folk song and dance accompanied with shamisen and koto.
The Scotland Japanese School children's choir and the Nightingale Choir.

In addition to these brilliant performances there are plenty of activities and booths to explore. As Halloween is just round the corner, today’s event also features Yokai, Japanese scary but funny monsters and goblins.

Anyway, today is a great opportunity to make new discoveries while making new friends.
Thank you once again for coming to the festival. Please enjoy!