The event “Mabi Fest” was held on June 30, 2019, at Son Elementary School, Kurashiki City.
We interviewed kohei of imim, a male vocal duo from Kanagawa who planned the event.
We asked him about the challenges and happy moments along the way, and his thoughts “now” that the event is over. Here is what he told us.
The information presented was accurate when this article was published in August 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Interview with kohei of imim
Challenges in planning and holding the event
What challenges and difficulties did you face in holding Mabi Fest?
kohei
At first, we thought we would hold the event on our own.
But there are limits to what individuals can do when holding an event, so it was difficult to get people in Mabi to help and, in a positive way, involve them in the process.
Publicizing the event was also a challenge. Many of the people living in temporary housing provided through the “deemed temporary housing” program are elderly, and it can be hard to get information to them. Also, people whose homes were not damaged may find it difficult to attend.
We publicized the event in various ways, such as asking to put flyers up at garbage collection points and getting help from the media.
More than 500 people attended, right?
kohei
Some people couldn’t get into the gym at Son Elementary School, so it seems around 600 people came. We were very grateful.
Thoughts “now” that Mabi Fest is over
What were some of the good and happy things about Mabi Fest?
kohei
For about a year, we started out volunteering and continued supporting people through live music. Since we also have our own music activities, now that Mabi Fest is over, we’re returning to Tokyo, where we’re based.
The words “That was fun. I hope you do it again next year” made us happiest.
I’m really glad that Mabi Fest gave us a reason to come back to Mabi.
As we put the event together, we made decorations and signs at a nursery school in Mabi and involved people from Mabi in the preparations.
It was significant that we were able to work together to create the event as a whole town, rather than by individual districts of Mabi.
Thoughts “now,” one year after the July 2018 heavy rains
You came to Mabi as a volunteer after the July 2018 heavy rains. Looking back on that year, could you tell us what you think “now”?
kohei
The July 2018 heavy rains were the first time I took part in volunteer work in a disaster-stricken area. What I realized was that you can’t understand unless you actually go to the site and see it with your own eyes.
Also, each person has a different understanding of “recovery.”
Some people think “recovery” means repairing a home damaged by flooding, while others think it means the school being repaired so students can attend again.
I realized that “recovery” is a long process, and that one year is nowhere near enough time to achieve it.
Now that we’ve left Mabi, what we feel for the people there is that we hope they’ll keep going, and we want to continue supporting them.
We’ve also heard that people made new friends because of the conversations our activities sparked. We learned a lot from the people of Mabi: music isn’t just entertainment in the moment; it can bring people together.
Could you tell us how you feel about your activities going forward?
kohei
People in Mabi told us that seeing our activities on TV and in the media would cheer them up.
So, as we continue our activities in Tokyo, I want to do my best to make sure the people of Mabi can see what we’re doing and see us in good spirits.
From the Writer
We covered Mabi Fest, held on June 30, 2019, and the many smiles of the people of Mabi lifted the writer’s spirits, too.
Even a year after the July 2018 heavy rains, buses can still be seen traveling between temporary housing and temporary schools, as both schools and homes were damaged.
As kohei said, everyone has a different understanding of “recovery.” However, the writer felt that recovery is still very much a work in progress.
The “music” brought cheer to a town that had lost much of its color, where some people who were affected by the July 2018 heavy rains still cannot return to Mabi, even though they want to.
Just as the event’s subtitle suggested, it “brought sound, color, and smiles to Mabi.”
I am truly grateful to the two members of imim for bringing smiles and energy to Mabi.
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