One for all, all for one

When I look back at the days I spent in Achen, the expression “one for all, all for one” always comes to my mind.
The members all had different experiences, careers, and cultural backgrounds.
Although I didn’t speaking German and was not fluent even in English, we worked together and enjoyed the preparation and the management of the event. I am very grateful for having been able to have such a wonderful experience.

This time, I arrived in Germany 1 week before the other Japanese staff, because Junko had organized me two volunteer concerts for elderly house. I sung songs from old movies and German songs. Some were sitting in wheel chairs with a faint smile. People sometimes sung with me. I sung in Japanese some songs but they send me applause. I hope they enjoyed my songs and remembered some memories in their life. I believe that songs cross over everything, language, countries, and time.

Healing concert at Yoga studio was also a success. Thomas, the yoga instructor, who allowed me to sing at his studio, said to me “When will you come here again?” He invited me to do it some more times.

Rusa, tea ceremony teacher and some volunteer staff joined 2 days before the “Japan day”. We had a busy time for preparation. We met a new face. Sonny. She was German and had big interest in Japan, learning Japanese, speaking fluent English and could wear kimono by herself. Her role was a staff of the calligraphy workshop. When we prepared for that, Rusa suddenly came up with an idea. “Would you like to join our performance, Sonnya?” The title of the event was “Aachen meets Japan”. So Rusa’s plan was that she wrote Chinese characters which meant “appliciation” and then Sonnya erote “Aachen”, then Rusa wrote “Japan”. WhileI sung German old songs both in German and Japanese. What a exciting idea!

In short, It was a great success. Over 1000 guests came. It was the biggest number in the history of the building. And it was as triple as we had expected. We, staff, didn’t have time for lunch or any break. All the workshops were full. We had to add an extra tea ceremony for meeting the experctation. My roll was making matcha, green tea, from after the opening where I sung “Kimigayo” until the time I should be on stand by for my singing stage.

It was like completely pieces of puzzle fitting in the right place. Each member did what he or she should do. I felt tired but comfortable. Rusa missed the chance to eat German sausage even though it was her first visit to Germany. As if Germany was telling her “You must come back again.” And it comes true.