(Ambassador Minoru Shibuya and Mayor Jan van Zanen)

Although spring arrived late this year, a pink glow was clearly visible over the Cherry Blossom Park in Amstelveen on Wednesday 7 April when the 10th anniversary of this very popular festival was held.  The warm weather attracted more than 500 guests to the park where a large tent had been set up in the middle of the ‘almost’ blooming cherry blossom trees.  At 4 pm Mayor van Zanen, Ambassador Shibuya, Master of Ceremonies Professor van Gulik together with deputy mayors and aldermen from the surrounding cities of Amsterdam, Haarlemmermeer and Almere made arrived at the cherry blossom park where they were welcomed by the sound of the Hanadon Taiko group.  In his opening speech Mayor van Zanen congratulated the Kaze Choir on its 20th anniversary and commented on the favourable weather conditions this year.  Two quilts symbolising Dutch/Japanese friendship and a girl’s kimono in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival were presented to the Mayor by the Japan Women’s Club.  Ambassador Shibuya looked back on a very successful anniversary year in 2009 and offered details of upcoming events including a Japan-EU English language Haiku competition.  After a delightful performance by the Kaze choir and a most informative speech by Professor van Gulik guests were free to visit the stands displaying/selling Japanese products and stroll outside and sit under the Cherry Blossom trees.  Thanks to efforts of so many, in particular Amsterdam inBusiness, the Netherlands-Japan Association, the Japan Women’s Club, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Japan,  the 10th annual Cherry Blossom Festival was undoubtedly the most successful one to date.

                                                                        (Remarks by Ambassador Shibuya)

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