The 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance (held on July 13, 2019) - A dance filled with wishes for recovery that will not be defeated by the rain.

Due to the damage caused by the heavy rain in July 2018, the "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" was canceled for the 2018 fiscal year.

The "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" is an event where local residents and corporate groups walk while dancing on "Makibi Street," which becomes a pedestrian paradise in front of the Mabi Branch Office.

Mabi Town and Funao Town were merged into Kurashiki City on August 1, 2005. Taking this opportunity, the "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" has been held every summer since July 2007.

On July 13, 2019, the 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance was held, and we will introduce the lively atmosphere of dancing despite the bad weather and rain!

About the 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance

On the day of the 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance, food stalls and stage booths were set up on the grounds of the Kurashiki City Mabi Branch Office, and many people gathered and enjoyed the event starting from around 3 PM.

▲The Monument of the Heavy Rain Disaster in July 2018 was installed on the grounds of the Mabi Branch Office on July 6, 2019.

In front of the disaster monument, passersby stopped to read the inscribed words.

The state of the food stalls

Around the food stalls, Suin-kyo was seen playfully hitting the heads of children running around with a fan, which was a typical sight in Kurashiki.

The food stalls featured items such as "takoyaki," "shaved ice," "French fries," "fried chicken," and "yakisoba."

Funao Town in Kurashiki City is known as a production area for Muscat grapes.

At the Funao Winery, visitors can learn about the history of Muscat cultivation and winemaking, and even taste the wine.

At the Funao Winery booth, white wine tasting and wine sales were taking place.

The wine is refreshing and easy to drink, making it recommended for women.

http://www.funaowinery.com/sisetu.html

Children were lining up at the booth of "grilled corn," which was filled with a fragrant aroma.

The state of the stage

On stage, the "Mabi Bamboo Orchestra" performed a gentle and pleasant rendition using bamboo instruments.

Then, the "Mabi Children's Choir" gently enveloped the venue with their harmony of the children's song "Furusato."

After performances of songs and drums, a minute of silence was observed for those who lost their lives in the heavy rain disaster in July 2018.

Due to the heavy rain in July 2018, it is said that more than half of the costumes for the "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" were damaged.

Even now, a year after the heavy rain in July 2018, many people still live in temporary housing away from Mabi Town, and the holding of the "Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" in 2019 was also in doubt.

When donations were solicited, many people from both inside and outside Mabi Town, including the "Kurashiki Junior Chamber" and the "Peace Boat Disaster Volunteer Center," contributed relief funds, allowing them to prepare new costumes for the festival day.

"Each of our individual powers may be small, but with the cooperation of many people, recovery is progressing.

We want to show our energetic dancing to those who rushed to help as volunteers from all over the country as a way to give back."

Let's dance together with smiles and joy!"

Participants were moved to tears while listening to the greeting from Hiroshi Moriya, the chairman of the 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance Executive Committee and a member of the Kurashiki City Council.

The state of the grand dance

Around 6:30 PM, as it began to get a little dark.

The lanterns decorated along "Makibi Street" were lit.

As planned for "rain or shine," the main event, the "Grand Dance," started.

"Makibi Street" in front of the Mabi Branch Office was closed to vehicle traffic from 5 PM, and many people lined up with umbrellas along the street.

From the direction of Kibinomakibi Station, various groups began to dance while walking about 200 meters to the front of the Mabi Branch Office.

The participating groups are as follows.

Leading the way were people holding placards with the names of the groups, followed by local participants dressed in various costumes!

To the original song "Dance Together in Mabi and Funao," each group began to dance in turn.

A parade of approximately 1,000 dancers continued without interruption.

Many people have left Mabi and are living in temporary housing, and there were voices saying they couldn't practice much.

▲ Dressed in the costume of Kibi no Makibi, the Yata District.

▲ Dancing while holding up about 300 fans with wishes for recovery, the Okada District.

From the roadside, many family and friends of the dancers were seen calling their names and waving with smiles.

The rain continued to get stronger, but the cheers from the roadside for the participants dancing with all their might did not stop.

Many elderly people also participated, and everyone danced with smiles and energy.

The synchronized dancing shows the feelings of each group that had been looking forward to this day.

▲ Despite the increasingly heavy rain, the children of the Kuresu District danced energetically while singing.

Not to be outdone by the children's energy, the adults also dance to the song, shouting "Dokkoi Sho!"!

Kurashiki City Mayor Ito Kaori was also seen dancing together. Despite the heavy rain, there were moments that made one smile.

Even in the pouring rain, the participants danced with bright expressions.

The rain intensified over time, but for more than an hour since the start, the line of dancers continued without stopping.

Conclusion

One year has passed since the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, and the people of Mabi live with various thoughts and in different places.

It has been a year of struggles and hardships for Mabi, but the feeling of "not giving up" was strongly conveyed through the dance, and the author found themselves getting emotional many times while holding the camera.

A song filled with hope for recovery, feeling the strength of the local residents.

A dance that expresses gratitude to those who have supported and encouraged them over the past year.

I hope many people will come to know the "now" of Mabi, as they move forward step by step with smiles united.

I am very much looking forward to next year's event.

Data of the 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance

Name	The 13th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance
Date	July 13, 2019 From 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location	In front of the Mabi Branch Office, Kurashiki City

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