Yesterday, we introduced one of our large dance groups new to WMDF. Today, we are really glad to welcome to this year’s event an act that is a repeater, and also holds the stage as an individual. Kateryna, WMDF has undergone many changes since we hosted you in 2010: we hope you will be impressed!

Kateryna

Kateryna was born in the town of Prypiat in Ukraine. From childhood, she was introduced to traditional Ukranian music through the indigenous instrument, the bandura. She first visited Japan as a 10-year-old. After formal studying of music in the Ukraine from the age of 16, she returned to Japan in 2008 to further the understanding of Ukranian culture.

The bandula is a traditional Ukranian instrument that combines the appearance of a harp with the frets of a guitar. The bandula used by Katerina has over 60 strings and weighs more than 8 kilos. Her performances feature Ukranian traditional music, folk songs and popular songs, as well as Japanese songs. As a veteran of 2008 and 2010 WMDFs, we are really looking forward toseeing what Kateryna thinks of the progress of our event! Check out her CDs, “Banduriste” (2008) and “Banduriste II” (2014).

www.kateryna-music.jp

Now there are 44 days to go until the start of WMDF 008. We are introducing this summer’s international groups one by one online. Looking forward to a great summer!

The Lan Yang Dancers

The Lan Yang Dancers (LYD) have a history that dates back to 1966. They have won international exposure for the beauty of their Taiwanese dance, and have staged many invited performances throughout the world. They say that “Life creates art, and art enriches life.” With the life and culture of Taiwan as the subject matter, LYD create overall amalgamations of diverse traditions, endowing folk dance culture with a new lease of life. In their own words, such interpretations are a “positive step not only in the continued propagation of tradition, but a new creative revival of culture and the arts, so that aesthetic education could become widespread and serve as the roots of human culture.”

www.lycc.org.tw
www.facebook.com/lydancers

   Photos by Osamu Higakure

Thanks to all who joined us in the park for Day 2 of the Worlds Meet Circus. It was great to see the site looking really full even for our “Pre-Event”. Almost all the food booths had “Sold Out” signs up, and the new “tameshi” tickets were really popular (they sold out too).

We announced the groups for August in the park, and from Monday 22nd, we will be announcing online, too. First,  on Mon 15th, we will upload the poster and flier images for both WMDF and MoguFes. Then each weekday from Mon 22 we will post a new blog with the profile of each of the overseas groups. Check back to find out about the lineup.

A reminder: one-day passes are 1,000 yen from Aug 5 – Aug 10. But, the Six Day Sponsor pass is crazy value at 2,000 yen. Numbers are limited, so get yours early to avoid disappointment!