The "Heisei 30 July Heavy Rain" occurred on July 7, 2018.
In Mabi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, there were 51 fatalities, and approximately 5,000 houses were completely or partially destroyed, resulting in significant damage. As of March 2019, various activities are ongoing for recovery.
Immediately after the disaster, many people gathered, including residents, various support organizations, and volunteers from across the country.
Although recovery is progressing, it still feels like there are few people who have returned to live in Mabi.
Even more than six months later, as of March 2019, the lights in homes are extremely few.
- Let’s light a beacon for the recovery of Mabi
- Reflect on the disaster and raise awareness for disaster prevention and reduction
- Even if you are currently living away from Mabi, let’s create a space to talk
With these thoughts in mind, I will report on the candle lighting event "Mabi Recovery Hope Light," which has been held every month since August 13, 2018, about a month after the disaster.
This article will mainly introduce the event held on February 7, 2019.
What is the candle lighting event "Mabi Recovery Hope Light"?
The "Mabi Recovery Hope Light" is an event organized by the "Mabi Recovery Hope Project," which consists of NPOs, disaster victims, and about 20 members.
It is held around the 13th of every month, starting from August 13, 2018, about a month after the disaster occurred.
You might have an image of a "memorial service."
In fact, a flower offering stand is prepared, but the organizers said,
"Even if you are away from Mabi for some reason, I hope this becomes a place where you can come back once a month and talk in front of the candles. I believe candles have that kind of power."
They expressed.
Flow of the event
The event starts at 7 PM.
About 30 participants gradually gathered about 10 minutes before.
The venue is in front of the "Kurashiki City Office Mabi Branch."
The organizers gathered about 30 minutes earlier to arrange the candles and set up the tents.
Also, on February 7, 2019, when the interview was conducted, Okayama Prefectural Governor Ibaraki Ryuta was scheduled to attend, so there were many media representatives.
At 7 PM, the event began with greetings from Governor Ibaraki and Hirano Sho, the representative of the Mabi Recovery Hope Project, followed by the flower offering.
Some approached the flower offering stand in silence, some shed tears, and some family members spoke words to their deceased loved ones, showing a variety of emotions.
I also offered flowers, mourned the victims, and prayed for hope in recovery.
After that, all participants lit candles one by one, each with a prayer for recovery.
Many participants were from Mabi, and while enjoying the traditional sweet red bean soup, they talked about their current situations, asking each other, "Where are you living now?" and "Are you doing well?"
In particular, it felt like many participants were those living away from Mabi.
On the day of the interview, it was 216 days since the disaster.
The candlelight of "Ganbarou Mabi ♡ 216" gently and warmly illuminates the dark areas of Mabi.
Then, after about an hour, at 8 PM, Hirano Sho gave the closing remarks, and the event concluded.
Overview of the 8th event (March 7, 2019)
I will introduce the lighting of the candle "Ganbarou Mabi 243 days."
Compared to the previous time (February 2019), there were no media representatives, and it was a good gathering with many people from Mabi.
Next, I spoke with Hirano Sho from the Mabi Recovery Hope Project.
Interview with "Hirano Sho," representative of the Mabi Recovery Hope Project
How did the "Mabi Recovery Hope Light" begin?
Hirano
I myself was affected in Mabi, and many people left Mabi.
I wanted to create a place where people could gather, a place to find peace, and a place to face the past, present, and future, so I reached out and started this.
The initial theme was "Recovery of the Heart."
Why do you use candles for the Mabi Recovery Hope Light?
Hirano
One of the project members, as part of the support for the Great East Japan Earthquake, conducted a project called "3.11 Kurayami Candle," which included donations to the disaster area, with the help of NPOs and local volunteers from Kurashiki.
The idea was to deliver support from Kurashiki while thinking of the disaster area, which had lost electricity, gathered around the candlelight, and it was realized with the cooperation of candle manufacturers.
In the Heisei 30 July Heavy Rain, under the theme of "Ganbarou Mabi," we thought about involving many residents, citizens, and volunteers, and not just ending it as a one-time event, but as a continuous effort.
Every month, on the night of the 6th or 7th of the disaster, we believe it is necessary to spend time reflecting on Mabi's past and future while gathering around the candlelight, and we are implementing this project.
How do you operate the event in terms of funding?
Hirano
Up until this event (held in February 2019), we have relied on crowdfunding and donations.
While there are some out-of-pocket expenses from members, the support provided by those who contribute has been a great help.
Although it is held every month, how long do you plan to continue?
Hirano
We plan to continue for one year (until July 2019).
As an organizer, what kind of people do you want to participate? I heard that you would like people to join casually as a place to talk. Honestly, as a resident of Mabi who has not been affected, I feel it is difficult to participate, so if you have a message, please let me know.
Hirano
There are no specific limitations on who can participate.
I hope as many people as possible will participate.
However, if I express it as "residents of Mabi and those who support and help Mabi," it would mean everyone.
I hope this event leads to increased awareness of disaster prevention and that the circle of support continues.
Conclusion
As of March 2019, in Mabi, there are no lights at night except for streetlights, traffic signals, and stores.
Even if there are temporary lights, most are only on the second floor.
In such a situation, the candlelight lit in front of the Kurashiki City Office Mabi Branch seemed particularly bright.
Watching the small candlelight flicker in the dark brought a sense of relief.
On the 7th of every month, we remember the disaster of that day and mourn those who have passed away.
And as time goes by, I believe it is a day to reconsider the awareness of disaster prevention that naturally fades.
Regardless of whether one has been affected or not, I felt that we must consider the importance of remembering and passing on the disaster, even if it is just once a month.
I hope that as many homes in Mabi as possible will have their lights return, and that a day will come when more people can regain a place of comfort.
