e-ShortNews

Jan. 27, Sat. (12:30 ? 14:30), Lunchroom of Gohongi Elementary School

Our New Year’s party this year was held in the lunchroom, next door to our office, of Gohongi Elementary School. The weather was unseasonably warm, and we were privileged to have as our guests Mr. Aoki, Mayor of Meguro City, and some members of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and Meguro City Council, who kindly took time from their busy schedule. A total of seventy people ? regular Meguro UNESCO members, friendship members, school children, etc. ? had a very good time, exchanging rather belated New Year’s greetings.
On the table were many dishes with international flavors as well as various desserts, all made by the participants as in past years. Every dish looked and tasted good, and I was deeply impressed by their cooking skills. The singing voice of the children from a chorus group “Cosmos” lead by Ms. Miyashita, a Meguro UNESCO member, created a feeling of togetherness among the participants. The audience gave the children generous applause as they sang using some sign language and keeping rhythm with hand percussion instruments of their own making. Towards the end of the party a lottery was held as usual. Both children and adults looked serious when they chose from a variety of prizes.
One member, who doesn’t usually have enough time for many UNESCO activities, looked really satisfied with the party and left the venue saying, “I always look forward to meeting other members on an occasion like this.”
I deeply appreciate the people who organized and prepared for this party. I would also like to express my gratitude to Gohongi Elementary School who kindly let us use the lunchroom although it happened to fall on their open school day.
- reported by Michiko Hisatomi, PR Committee