Namban matsuri – A single festival

In 1970, Japan held what would be its reunion with the world after the greatest historical humiliation of the nation of the Rising Sun. Capitulation to the Americans in World War II. Of the 96 million visitors to the Osaka Universal Fair, 93 million were Japanese. This represents well the importance that the event had for the rehabilitation of the Japanese spirit in the expression of a sincere embrace for peace.

Portugal, as a guest nation, then played an important role in putting on a show of epic dimensions called Namban Matsuri. This cultural gesture, which had the participation of artists from both nations, celebrated the meeting of peoples and their surrender to the common ideal of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity under the aegis of the ideals of freedom.

Directed by Águeda Cena and produced by Carlos Avilez, it would then be considered the outstanding artistic manifestation in Osaka 70. Currently, there are few records about it, which has made it difficult to produce a contemporary Namban Matsuri.

The idea came from a renowned artist of English culture. Professor Doctor Architect António Laginha who in articulation with the Passos Canavaro Foundation (https://www.fundacaopassoscanavarro.pt) and the ASAO-XXI movement (https://asao-21.blogspot.pt) are currently collecting information so that a project can be produced that celebrates the meeting between the West and the East marked by the arrival of the Portuguese in Japan (Cipango as it was known at the time) in 1543.

Given the difficult mission, this text is an appeal to all those who are interested in Japanese culture with special importance for the community of Japanese natives who live in Brazil and who may have records of the Namban Maturi held in 1970. Its transfer would be a huge help, not only to the projection of the Lusitanian culture, where Brazil has great prominence, but also that of Japan.

If you may have relevant information with a view to achieving this objective, please contact us at the address https://asao-21.blogspot.pt. Our sincere and cordial thanks in advance. Arch Mario Cardoso

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