In Harmony
The 4th International Children's Music Festival

Tsuruoka Youth Choir
6-7 Kachushinmachi, Tsuruoka,
Yamagata, 997-0036 Japan

July 1, 2006

Dear festival participants,

On behalf of the executive committees, I would like to express our honor in hosting the 4th International Children’s Music Festival in Shonai area, Yamagata from July 12th to 19th , 2007.

When we look at the world today, we see endless wars and a suffering environment.  Furthermore, we see our own existence threatened by the abnormal climate conditions created by global warming.  It is now more important than ever for us to think not only about our own nation’s happiness but about the world’s happiness.

It is for this reason that I believe the International Children’s Music Festival holds great importance.  In bringing together children from different countries, who later in life will be responsible for looking after this earth, we can discover one another’s culture, history, and background, and deepen our friendship. 

This area of Yamagata is known as the ‘land of forest and water’.  In the north one finds Mt.Chokai, also known asMt. Dewa-Fuji; in the south east one finds the three holy mountains of Dewasanzan, which are famous throughout Japan; in the north-west there is the Shonai coastal area which borders the Japan Sea and the Shonai Plain; and the center of Yamagata is blessed by a myriad of rivers.

In this ‘land of forest and water’, people from each region have been eagerly looking forward to the child musician’s visit and have been making use of local expertise in their preparations.  Plans include a welcome party at the brand new facilities atthe foot of Mt Chokai, a concert at thedam shore, surrounded by verdurous mountains, a concert while trekking through beech forest, and a concert at a fabulous hall located in the middle ofrice fields.

I warmly invite all of you to come and visit Shonai.  I believe that performing concerts in this area of natural beauty will be a wonderful experience.  I and the people of Shonai are very much looking forward to your visit. 

Sincerely,

Wakako Ban

Executive Director

Tsuruoka Youth Choir