“Zento Eisa,” an Eisa event that epitomizes summer in Okinawa and brought 350,000 people to Okinawa last year, has been cancelled
May 14, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition
Okinawa – The Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri executive committee announced May 14 that they would be canceling the 65th Okinawa Zento Eisa Matsuri (hosted by the executive committee: Okinawa City, Ryukyu Shimpo Co. Ltd., Okinawa Television, the Okinawa Tourism and Industry Promotion Association, and the Okinawa City Youth Council), originally scheduled for September 11-13, due to concerns over the coronavirus.
According to the executive committee, this is the first time the festival has been cancelled. In order to stop the spread of the virus, committee meetings for the festival have not been held. Instead, the committee gathered written opinions from the parties involved with the festival, and have been considering whether or not to host the festival through May 12.
Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae, who also heads the executive committee, commented, “It will be very difficult for all of the groups involved to practice and do all of the work needed to host the event. Thinking of the health and safety of both the participants and guests, hosting the festival would be difficult to say the least. We will work to ensure that everyone can come to the next one without worry.”
The festival takes place at Okinawa City Stadium, and is a lively event that attract many visitors. Last year, the event attracted an all-time high of 350,000 visitors. The event features Eisa performances by groups from Okinawa City and elsewhere, and the majestic performances bring excitement to summer in Okinawa.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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