With the ending of Japan’s “Golden Week” season, we are now less than three months away from this year’s WMDF. We have been quietly been working hard to bring you yet again a gathering of world cultures. Join us in Motomachi Park for music, dance, goods, gourmet and more.

Always on the lookout for new ideas, this year we have introduced “Challenge Booth” spaces at our co-located “Mogu Mogu” Festival. Expect to see some new faces in our lineup, including some who are trying out the business end of festival life for the first time.

Another place for new faces is our staff meetings. Each year, some  veteran staff move on, and a new wave of enthusiasts appears.

Last year’s opening Staff Meet

We cater for all levels of interest and all kinds of skill-sets. Our first meet gives a run-down of the festival organisation structure, a sneak preview of this year’s groups, and a chance to get hands dirty with some of this year’s preparation work. Observers are happily welcomed (but be warned that we have been known to run our own specialised version of “speed dating” to get as many people as possible talking to each other…)

■2018 Staff Meeting #1

Date: May 31 (Thu) 18:30-20:30
Place: Machi-Tsukuri Center（https://goo.gl/maps/mRfMZvSqvS82）
Add this to your calendar

For first-timers, here is the answer to every year’s most asked question: “No you don’t need to be available for the whole festival. Even one day is a huge help to us…. Even a couple of hours on one day is a huge help for us”

No time for meetings? Our staff mail can keep you up to date. Registration is quick and easy, and carries no obligation.

Whichever route you choose,  we hope you will play a part in this year’s blending of old friends with new encounters…

Let “worlds meet” again in 2018!

Children from many countries will gather during this long winter in Hokkaido!

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 fifth edition, there are three groups from overseas: “Pong Lang” from Thailand, Paul Hsu Senior High School from Taiwan and Etonos from Russia. 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 5
Date: Mar 4 (Sun) 13:00 start
Place: Hakodate Geijutsu Hall (Goryokaku-cho 37-8)
Groups: "Pong Lang" a folklore band from Rachadabhisek high school (Thailand), 
A folklore dance club from Paul Hsu Senior High School (Taiwan), 
Etonos (Russia), 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)