It has been three years since the heavy rain disaster in July 2018.
On the way to the Takahashi River Mabi Riverside Interaction Ground, I noticed new houses lined up.
While I felt the progress of reconstruction and the strength of the people living in Mabi, I also reminded myself that a disaster indeed occurred here.
I will report on the third event of the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival.
About the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival
The Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival is a festival that embodies the feelings of remembrance and the steps toward reconstruction for the future.
It is held at the Takahashi River Mabi Riverside Interaction Ground, featuring food stalls, displays of vehicles that are active during disasters, performances of traditional Japanese drums, and karaoke on stage.
The memorial reconstruction festival, which will be the last in 2021, was held under restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring attendees to wear masks, have their temperatures checked, and use hand sanitizer to enter the venue.
Because it is an event where many people gather, thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection were taken.
And the highlight of the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival is undoubtedly the LED sky lanterns and 2,000 fireworks.
Scenes from the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival
The weather forecast for the day predicted a 60 percent chance of rain!
As soon as I arrived at the venue, it started to rain, and I thought, "The fireworks might be canceled..." feeling anxious.
Despite the bad weather, there were many people with umbrellas at the venue.
Families, friends, couples, and people of various ages were enjoying the festival.
There were also some cute girls wearing yukata.
I immediately headed to the exhibition booths.
The bamboo lights and the statue of Amabie by the Mabi Town Regional Vitalization Support Team were illuminated by LED lights at night, casting a gentle glow from the intricately crafted bamboo.
▼Karaoke is being performed on stage.
A small child was singing in front of a large crowd! I was impressed by their courage.
Unfortunately, I missed it, but there was also a performance of traditional Japanese drums by high school students.
▼There was a long line at the food stalls!
There were 16 stalls, and the delicious smells of okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and ice cream, which are staples at festivals, filled the air.
Since there were so many people in line, I thought, "I can eat later," and postponed it, but I ended up missing out on eating and felt a bit regretful.
NPO Gorilla Yasuya
Yasuko, who is a staff member of the NPO Gorilla that organizes the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction Festival.
She sells acrylic scrubbing pads, keychains, and magnets to fund Gorilla's activities.
She got to know Gorilla while collecting used clothes and hangers to send to the disaster area and became a staff member.
The keychains she was selling were completely sold out!
Medical Tent for Emergency Relief
The main role of the medical tent for emergency relief is to treat patients in place of a hospital.
It was not active during the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, but it was utilized during the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016.
Cold air is sent into the tent from an external pipe, replacing the warm air inside.
The inside of the tent was cool and very comfortable.
By the way, it is said to be warm in winter, and even though it is a tent, it is comfortable inside.
There is also enough space to accommodate 4 to 6 beds.
Yokomatsu Hidenobu from the Okayama Prefectural Branch of the Japanese Red Cross explained the medical tent in detail.
He kindly answered everything!
Ambulance
This vehicle is actually an ambulance.
It looks like a large camper van, doesn't it?
That’s because it is utilizing a camper van as an ambulance.
This ambulance operates with a team of 6 people.
Doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and administrative staff form a team to rush to the disaster area.
The clinic travels around the disaster area, accepting and treating patients on-site.
Inside the vehicle, there are stretchers, water supply, refrigerator, air tanks, and treatment lights, so emergency treatment is also possible.
Lighting Vehicle
As the name suggests, the lighting vehicle can illuminate areas with lights.
It is a vehicle for night work, and it was active in Mabi during the heavy rain disaster in July 2018.
When disasters like landslides occur, the lighting vehicle is called upon to quickly restore necessary construction.
Additionally, there is a camera next to the light, which is also used to monitor areas prone to landslides.
It can reach a height of up to 10 meters and has a light range of about 200 meters, bright enough to read a newspaper.
Uehara Ken from the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism explained about the lighting vehicle.
He answered thoroughly!
Drainage Pump Vehicle
The drainage pump vehicle is rarely deployed, and even staff from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism seldom see it.
It is a vehicle that is active during typhoons or heavy rain when flooding is likely, so it is better not to have to use it.
Mobile Crane Vehicle
The mobile crane was active in river construction in Mabi.
Its role is to lift and install sandbags and concrete.
The weight that can be transported by the crane is 1 to 2 tons, and it can lift a light vehicle and move it 20 to 25 meters.
A Spectacle! 2,000 Fireworks
Perhaps the organizer's passionate feelings were conveyed, as the rain stopped by 8 PM when the fireworks began, coloring the night sky.
As the sound of the fireworks enveloped us, the feelings of frustration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were released all at once.
The fireworks not only represented prayers for recovery but also provided energy and hope to those suffering during the pandemic, pushing them forward.
Despite being told that the sky lanterns could not be done due to the rain, they were held unexpectedly, and although fewer in number than planned, they illuminated the night sky with gentle lights.
Conclusion
Thanks to the wishes of the organizers and many people who were looking forward to the 3rd anniversary event, the rain stopped, and all the events were held.
Even in a situation close to force majeure, with the pandemic and rain, many people were surely encouraged by the miraculous holding of the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction 3rd Anniversary Festival.
This was an event filled with passionate feelings, allowing us to take another step forward and renew our determination to strive towards the future.
Data on the Mabi Memorial Reconstruction 3rd Anniversary Festival
| Name | Mabi Memorial Reconstruction 3rd Anniversary Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | July 3, 2021 (Saturday) 11 AM - 9 PM |
| Location | 1096 Kawabe, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
