Recognising Mr & Mrs Koizumi’s Achievements
On the occasion of the conferment of Mr Koizumi’s decoration and of Mrs Koizumi’s prize of distinguished cultural service of the Kitanippon Shimbun
Mr. Hiroshi KOIZUMI, aged 78, President of Toyama Prefectural Artistic and Cultural Association as well as Representative of the Theater Company BUNGEIZA, was given the honorable Medal of Japan, “Rising Sun with Two Rays”, while his charming wife Kuniko KOIZUMI was awarded the Prize of Distinguished Cultural Service of the Kitanippon Shimbun.
On the 23rd December 2011, about 350 people from Toyama gathered to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. KOIZUMI on their highly regarded achievements at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Ever since the establishment of his theater company, Mr. KOIZUMI has devoted himself to prefectural cultural activities with many artistic bodies in Toyama. It was in 1977, in Dundalk, Ireland that was the crucial turning point for him, because it was there that he gained the Premium Award in the International May Festival. Every international performance and international cultural exchange that has been achieved since was born in Dundalk following Mr. KOIZUMI’s achievement.
On behalf of all the organisers of this Celebration Party, Prof. Atsushi HIRATA, Honorary President of Toyama Prefectural Artistic and Cultural Association, made a memorable address, emphasizing Mr. KOIZUMI’s enthusiasm and sincerity, which has been combined with his wife’s exquisite performances on stage.
Prof. HIRATA, our Governor ISHII and Mr. KAWAI, President of the Kitanippon Shimbun made congratulatory speeches. And then, Mr. and Mrs. KOIZUMI’s grandchildren, Rina aged 18 and Yu aged 15, including Haruna aged 5, a daughter of Mr. KOIZUMI’s relatives presented bouquets to the celebrated couple.
In return they made their speeches, saying that they will do their very best to meet people’s expectations.
Ms. Mari KUROKAWA, KOTO player and KASAI Dancing Company gave performances of congratulation, which were followed by Mr. Toyosuke YOKOYAMA’s (a sculptor) proposing a toast.
Mr. Tetsuo NAKAO, Special Representative of Economical Society of Friendship in Toyama and the Mayor TAKAHASHI of Takaoka City were also there to celebrate this happy occasion.
Finally, the foreign guests from Belgium and Hungary, Mr. Rob VAN GENECHTEN and Dr. PINCZÉS István gave three cheers and three happy handclaps. Prof. Izumi YOSHIDA, Vice-President and Supervisor of Toyama Prefectural Artistic and Cultural Association, closed the Celebration Party.
(translated from the Kitanippon Shimbun by Prof. YOSHIDA)
Mr. KOIZUMI’s Greeting in reply
I am extremely honored and deeply moved by so great a recognition, as high as by His Majesty the Emperor, which has resulted in my award of the “Rising Sun with Two Rays” Medal of Japan.
This means to me that finally, the Amateur Theater in Japan has acquired “Citizenship” and I savor every part of this achievement from the bottom of my heart.
My wife Kuniko has been awarded the “Prize of Distinguished Cultural Service of the Kitanippon Shimbun” and many people in Japan and from abroad, including people from AITA/IATA, wrote letters of congratulation on our achievements.
We feel nothing but great gratitude to all of you, our beloved people.
My wife has donated all the prize money to PAT 2012 (The World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama, 2012).
And from now on, I am determined to contribute all my remaining life to developing and realising the ideals of AITA/IATA asbl.
Hiroshi KOIZUMI
President of Japan Centre of AITA/IATA asbl
Please click here for pictures of the event