13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival (held July 13, 2019) ～ A dance that defies the rain and carries hopes for recovery

“Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival,” which was canceled in fiscal 2018 due to damage caused by the July 2018 heavy rains.

At the “Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival,” Makibi Street in front of the Mabi Branch Office is closed to traffic, and groups of local residents and businesses walk along it while dancing.

Mabi and Funao were merged into Kurashiki City on August 1, 2005. Following this, the “Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival” has been held every summer since July 2007.

Here we introduce the lively scenes of the “13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival,” held on July 13, 2019, where dancers kept going despite the bad weather and rain!

About the 13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival

On the day of the 13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival, food stalls and a stage were set up on the grounds of the Kurashiki City Mabi Branch Office. Many people gathered, and the area was bustling by shortly after the event began at 3 p.m.

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

People passing by stopped in front of the disaster monument to read the inscription.

Food Stalls

Near the food stalls, it was a scene typical of Kurashiki to see Suinkyo hitting the heads of children running away with fans.

The food stalls offered takoyaki, shaved ice, French fries, fried chicken, yakisoba, and more.

Funao in Kurashiki City is known as a muscat-growing region.

At Funao Winery, visitors can learn about the history of muscat cultivation and winemaking, and sample wine.

The Funao Winery booth offered white wine tastings and wine for sale.

The wine is crisp and easy to drink, and is also recommended for women.

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

Many children lined up at booths such as the grilled corn stall, where a savory aroma wafted through the air.

Stage Performances

On stage, the “Mabi Bamboo Orchestra” performed gentle, soothing music on bamboo instruments.

Then, the harmonies of the children's song “Furusato,” performed by the “Makibi Children's Choir,” gently enveloped the venue.

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

More than half of the costumes for the “Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival” were reportedly damaged by the July 2018 heavy rains.

Even a year after the July 2018 heavy rains, many people were still living in temporary housing after leaving Mabi, and there were concerns that the 2019 Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival might not be held.

When donations were solicited, many people from within and outside Mabi, as well as the Kurashiki Junior Chamber and the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center, contributed relief funds. Thanks to this support, new costumes were prepared in time for the festival.

“Each of us may have little power on our own, but with the help of many people, reconstruction is progressing.

We want to repay those who came from all over the country to volunteer by letting them see us dance with all our energy.

Let’s all dance together with smiles and have fun!”

Some participants were moved to tears as they listened to remarks by Hiroshi Moriya, chair of the 13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival organizing committee and a member of the Kurashiki City Council.

The Dance Festival

A little after 6:30 p.m., as dusk began to fall.

Lanterns lining Makibi Street were lit.

As planned, the main event, the “Soodori,” went ahead despite the rain.

Makibi Street in front of the Mabi Branch Office was closed to vehicles from 5 p.m., and many people lined the roadside holding umbrellas.

The groups began dancing as they walked about 200 meters from Kibinomakibi Station toward the Mabi Branch Office.

The participating groups were as follows.

Local participants dressed in a variety of costumes appeared, led by people carrying placards bearing their group names!

The groups began dancing in turn to choreography set to the original song “A Dance in Mabi and Funao.”

The procession of dancers, about 1,000 people in total, continued without a break.

Many people have left Mabi and are living in temporary housing, and some said they had not been able to practice much.

▲The Yata District, dressed in costumes of Kibi no Makibi.

▲The Okada District, dancing while holding up around 300 fans bearing messages of hope for recovery.

Along the route, family members and friends of the dancers could often be seen calling out their names and waving with smiles.

The rain grew heavier and heavier, but cheers from the roadside for the participants dancing with all their might never stopped.

Many older people also took part, all dancing energetically with smiles on their faces.

Their perfectly synchronized dancing showed how much each group had been looking forward to this day.

▲The children of the Kurese District sang and danced energetically, undeterred by the increasingly heavy rain.

Not to be outdone by the children's enthusiasm, the adults danced along to the song, singing, “Dokkoi-sho!”

Kurashiki City Mayor Kaori Ito was also seen dancing along. Despite the heavy rain, there were moments that brought smiles to everyone's faces.

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

The rain grew heavier as time went on, but the procession of dancers continued without stopping for more than an hour after it began.

From the Writer

A year has passed since the heavy rains of July 2018, and the people of Mabi are living in many different circumstances and places.

It was a year of hardship and adversity for Mabi, but the feeling of “not giving up” came through powerfully in the dancing, and as I held my camera, I felt tears well up several times.

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

A dance of gratitude in return for all those who supported and encouraged them over the past year.

I hope many people will learn about Mabi today, united, smiling, and moving forward one step at a time.

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

13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival Information

Name	13th Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival
Date	July 13, 2019 3:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Location	In front of the Mabi Branch Office, Kurashiki City

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