The new generation connects the world of Uchinanchu
Why are the bonds between Japanese people with roots in Okinawa so strong, and how do they pass on their culture and identity to the next generation? Through interviews with people involved in the preparations for the World Youth Uchinanchu Festival, we uncover the secrets.
Stories from this series
3rd session: "Opening our eyes to the Ryukyu spirit on the 100th anniversary of the North American Okinawan Association" (Joey Kamiya) and "For all generations and people interested in Okinawa" (Gramko and Yokota Itsuki)
July 17, 2013 • Keiko Fukuda
The 2nd World Youth Uchinanchu Festival will be held for four days from July 18th to 21st, 2013 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The themes are "Inheriting Identity" and "Expanding and Strengthening Global Networks." On the day of the event, you can imagine Joey Kamiya busy working with his filming equipment at the venue. Born in Los Angeles and graduated from an art college in Santa Monica, the 25-year-old Joey works as a …
Part 2: "Dedicated to building a network for young people, going beyond the boundaries of being born in the US and Okinawa" - Hiroshi Yamauchi
May 29, 2013 • Keiko Fukuda
Hiroshi Yamauchi is a second generation Okinawan born in Los Angeles and is one of the key people in the US preparations for the World Youth Okinawan Festival, which is scheduled to be held in July 2013. I tried to contact him several times to arrange an interview, but he was in the middle of tax season and worked as a certified public accountant, so he seemed to be very busy. He sent me an email saying, "I'm sorry, I'll …
Part 1: "I want to share the charm of American Uchinanchu with the world" by Yuko Yamauchi
April 25, 2013 • Keiko Fukuda
The World Youth Uchinanchu Festival, which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in July 2012, will move to the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance in 2013. This festival is a youth version of the World Uchinanchu Festival, which is held once every five years and celebrates immigrants with roots in Okinawa from all over the world gathering in their hometown, Okinawa. I have never heard of immigrant ancestors gathering in their hometowns in Japan in other prefectures. Moreover, in Okinawa's …
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