Box Hill Japan Festival - Sunday 21st May 2023
It was a fantastic day promoting the Frankston Susono Friendship Association and Frankston's sister city relationship with Susono at the 21st Box Hill Japan Festival on Sunday! After a 3 year break the festival was back bigger than ever with massive crowds attending - the entry queue and lines of people in front of the many food stalls seemed to stretch forever! There were big numbers inside the Main Hall all day and similar crowds on all levels and every display room. Despite the less than ideal weather, I'm sure the organisers were thrilled with the turnout and the wonderful performances and displays.
The FSFA table was located at the back of the Main Hall in the best possible location - just inside the entrance! We were able to offer our many visitors a FSFA promotional flyer, a range of travel and tourism booklets and pamphlets, and Mount Fuji postcards plus we had maps on display with Susono's location and key sites within Susono City and the surrounding area.
Many visitors wanted to know more about our sister city, our relationship and what activities we run during the year. Of course we were promoting our Frankston Delegation to Susono in October and the opportunity for people to join us on our first visit since 2018, plus our Japanese Festivals, Japanese speech contest, Hanami Party and Frankston Taiko Drumming group. It was exciting to hear about many people's relationship with Susono - born there, grandfather lives there, have previously live within or near the city - were some of the stories we heard. We also spoke to many people who either wanted to travel to Japan, were planning their Japan holiday, or had already booked and were excited about going to Japan.
We also had some very special visitors including Japan Consul-General Junji Shimada and his wife Kaoru, and Whitehorse City Mayor Cr. Mark Lane.
It was a great team effort and a huge thanks to Bev, Vic, Sam, Therese, Anne, Julie, Fiona, Nicole, Anita, David and Simon for helping to organise and attending the festival throughout the day.
Frankston Delegation to Susono - 5th to 9th October 2023
We are excited to be travelling to our sister city Susono in October this year. Community members are invited to join the delegation which will arrive in Susono on Thursday 5th and depart on Monday 9th October.
The busy schedule typically includes a Welcome Party on arrival where delegates will meet their host family for the next 4 nights; a tour of Susono and local area followed by a formal dinner on Friday; Saturday morning spent with your host family followed by Festival set-up in the afternoon; Sunday Australian Festival - it's all hands on deck helping with our displays and activities plus on-stage activities which often includes official introductions, a chance to play taiko drums or dancing; a Farewell Party follows the Festival pack-up; departure on Monday morning. A key feature, apart from all the planned activities, is the unique opportunity to stay with a Japanese family in their home!
Outside of committing to the above schedule, delegates are able to organise their own Japanese holiday - either before and/or after our Susono visit.
If you are interested in joining our Frankston Delegation to Susono or would like more information, please send an email to frankston.susono@gmail.com or contact Bev on 0413 777 313.
Frankston Taiko Drumming
FSFA are starting a Frankston Taiko Drumming group. A
workshop was held in March when local citizens and families joined with
committee members to complete the construction of 16 gomi daiko
(practice drums) and the bachi (drumming sticks). Practice lessons and
sessions are the next step in our taiko journey. We are awaiting venue confirmation and instructor arrangements. Community members are invited
to join us to experience the power, passion and energy that is Japanese taiko
drumming!
If you are interested in joining our Frankston Taiko Drumming group or would like more information, please send an email to frankston.susono@gmail.com or contact Bev on 0413 777 313.
