Charity Concert
A few days ago “Japa Vietnam” held a Charity Concert in Tokyo that attracted over 120 people.
Since 1990 the group of Japa Vietnam has been cooperating with programs inside Vietnam to promote development of poor communities so that they could become self-sufficient, increase their incomes and thus alleviate their hard life conditions. Through audio visuals the people attending the concert could have a look at the most important projects that have been implemented so far.
The Charity Concert aimed at attracting the attention of many people towards the values and realities of Vietnam and to promote an active interest in collaborating with us in the concrete projects we are trying to implement with poor communities there.
At the same time we wanted to present some rich Vietnamese culture, music and dances, in cooperation with young Vietnamese living in Japan and groups of Japanese singers and musicians.
When it comes to mobilize groups and people of all kinds and interests to implement such an event a small group, like Japa Vietnam, had to stretch out its resources in order to make it a reality. The results were quite satisfactory. We may say it was certainly a success and all persons involved were happy with the realization of the cultural event.
Because in Japan and most probably in many other countries Vietnam still remains a much controversial country, this concert offered an important message. Vietnam is often nowadays presented as just an economic success of modern industrial development. We are the first ones to realize that the official image of Vietnam as a society rapidly developing economically forgets very often other important human vital issues of the real life of common people and puts aside the hardships of rural people, ethnic groups and the urban poor.
The Charity Concert was a tool to enjoy the rich Vietnamese culture. Many of the participants heard for the first time the sound of the one-string Vietnamese musical instrument, Dan Bau, played by Japa Vietnam member Shino Midori. The Vietnamese songs and dances of the 25 members of the Cecilia Choir made a strong influence and were totally new to people, as well as the music and songs played by the group, “The Physical Works”, led by Mr. Matsushima. The participation of professional singers, Mrs. Kimura and Mrs. Tanaka accompanied by pianist Miss Morita drew the admiration of the audience and there was a much appreciated interlude done by ventriloquist Kanaya.
The continuation of this kind of mixed cultural events helps us and other people to understand experientially different people of other nationalities and come closer to them. On the other hand, they open new ways to many other creative possibilities. [by ando}