In the final stages of the planning and preparations for our "7th Children of the World Festival" on Sun March 1, we regret to announce the cancellation. This was after giving reflection and consideration of the report of a case of Coronavirus in the sub-prefecture of Oshima.

We are very sorry for this unfortunate news for all the children and their relatives and friends, and also all the audience who were looking forward to the event, but we judged this was necessary to avoid any potential of international spread of the disease. We hope for the return to a safe environment for all as soon as possible, and we ask for your understanding.

As collaborators on the CoW event, WMDF played a part in this decision. Since WMDF artists and others overseas will be checking our site, let us add some little extra information.

The situation with this outbreak is very fluid and changing every day. So, it is hard to predict the progress. Locally, organisations such as the City Hall and businesses are taking measures for vigilance, such as stopping where possible with plans that involve the gathering of people or the mixing of people from different areas. Quite a few winter events have announced postponements or cancellations.

Amid such a background, we are starting to encounter the main WMDF deadlines for groups in May and April. We will be continuing our planning as usual, while monitoring the situation. As well as the news in Japan, there are already reports of cases in some of the countries we are working with for this year’s event. We think that at this time, health is the number one priority, so we hope that you all stay safe. A secondary focus that will grow over time if the health situation persists is the impact on local livelihoods and society. In Hakodate, WMDF will be working with other local event planners and organisations to apply our thinking power to reduce the impacts on our community as much as possible. We share with you our wishes that you and your communities will also stay strong.

This year the mood of the gathering people is a little different because of thinking of Corona situation, but Hakodate is still hoping to make peoples’ lives full.

We are involved with “Children of the World” Festival on March 1. We can recommend. Click the image below for the full News post.

The schedule for another year of meeting of worlds is available from the Events page or by clicking on the image on the right. We hope you will enjoy the anticipation of seeing new spectacles from both first-timers and from familiar faces. We are looking forward to seeing you in Motomachi Park.

The “Children of the World” Festival is a heart-warming event of world dance, music, chorus and friendship. Youth artists collaborate with local children to build this festival together.

For this sixth edition, there are three groups from overseas: “Tasima”, “G-Next” from Russia and “The Lan Yang Dancers” from Taiwan. They are accompanied and supported by local youth groups from Hakodate, plus a special appearance by the young-at-heart Hinokiya.

The high quality performances by children at this event always impress the adult audience. We are waiting to present you with a unique atmosphere to chase away the winter blues.

"Children of the World" Festival, Edition 6
Date: Fab 24 (Sun) 14:00 start
Place: Hakodate Geijutsu Hall (Goryokaku-cho 37-8)
Groups: Tasima (Khabarovsk, Russia), 
G-Next (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia), 
The Lan Yang Dancers (Taiwan), 
Hinokiya and more.
Fee: 1,000 for Adults. 500 for Students. Free for babies and small children.
Tickets: Available in Hakodate Geijutsu Hall and at door.
Organiser: The Children of the World Committee, Worlds Meet Japan GIA.
Co-organiser: Hakodate Culture and Sports Shinkou Zaidan foundation.
Contact: 0138-51-5727 (Hitococochi, Inc, apologies but Japanese only)

We hope that Hakodate’s ongoing event season is living up to your expectations! Every year, we have run a “Worlds Meet Bar” in Autumn where people gather to reflect on the summer and to look forward to events still to come (this year and next). Why not join us?

“Worlds Meet” Bar
Date: Sun, Sep 30 from 17:00 to 21:30
Place: Cocktail Bar Concord 21（Hakodate, Honcho 1-42）
Theme: Talk about event experiences, drink world cocktails
Pricing: No cover charge, drinks 500 yen, soft drinks 300 yen (free snack with first drink)
Producers: Words Meet Japan
Inquiries: 0138-52-3815 (WMDF Secretariat)
Other: No advance registration available/necessary

Earthquake Relief: Part any profits of this event will be donated to relief efforts for the Sept 8th earthquake centered around Abira.

Other proceeds will be used to support the transformational social and educational projects of “Worlds Meet Japan” (registered as a non-profit General Incorporated Association).