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TOKYO, August 31, 2016- Pasona Group Inc. has established an executive committee for Awaji Art Circus to broadcast to the world the natural beauty and appeal of Hyogo prefecture’s Awaji Island. From October 1st to October 30th, twenty-six artists from twelve different countries will be showcased, including traditional Zimbabwean traditional dancers, samba dancers, mimes, comedians, and others. A crowdfunding page has been set up to spread word of the event and increase attendance. The page is open for donations until Monday, September 26.

<Pictured: three of this year’s performers>

  

Pasona Group has organized a variety of regional development programs with the cooperation of local municipal officials in Awaji Island, with the intent of creating a way to attract a variety of talented personnel to the area. Last year’s Awaji Art Circus saw seventeen acts of eleven different nationalities congregate on the island to perform for locals and visitors alike.

Hyogo Prefectural Governor Toshizō Ido is the honorary president of this year’s second installation of the Awaji Art Circus, and the executive planning committee includes the mayors of the three municipalities that comprise Awaji Island – Mayor Yasuhiko Kado of Awaji City, Mayor Michihiro Takeuchi of Sumoto City, and Mayor Katsuhisa Nakata of Minamiawaji City. Through Awaji Art Circus, they are making an effort to widen and spread the appeal of Awaji Island.

Of the 250 applicants from 45 countries this year, 26 people from 12 countries have been selected, including acts such as bellydancing, Zimbabwean traditional dance, samba performances, pantomime, and other performances that will be shown at eleven different locations on the island. And in an effort to make the most of the potential for cultural exchange, they will also be performing at festivals and other events, as well as kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools. While they are in Japan, the performers will also have the chance to attend Japanese cultural events to deepen their understanding of Awaji and Japan, and spread their findings to the rest of the world.

Awaji Art Circus is accepting donations via crowdfunding until September 26th, in order attract a wider audience and increase opportunities for people to visit the island. Pasona Group is working to expand tourism, entertain locals, and vitalize the region of Awaji Island.

Outline: Awaji Art Circus 2016

Time Period	Saturday, October 1st, 2016 – Sunday, October 30th, 2016 (1pm – 4pm) ※Excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Contents	1. Performances from foreign artists: Zimbabwean traditional dance, samba,   pantomime, comedy, and other performances all over the island. 2. Local events: additional performances at locally organized events and festivals. 3. Cultural exchanges at schools: performing at local kindergartens, elementary and middle schools to give children a chance to experience foreign cultures and languages. 4. Experiencing and broadcasting Japanese culture: having the artists attend taiko, Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy, Japanese cultural song and dance lessons such as danjiri-uta, awa-odori, and nihon-buyo, as well as fragrance-making lessons. These events will be shown via social media.
Entrance Fee	None
Location	11 locations throughout Awaji Island: Awaji Highway Oasis, Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Hanasajiki, Nojima Scuola, Sumoto Citizen’s Park, Awaji Farm Park England Hill, etc. ※For more details, please refer to the website.
Artists	26 artists comprising 14 groups, from 12 different countries. Countries: Australia, France, Romania, Serbia, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands, Finland, Spain Performances: Zimbabwean traditional dance, samba, pantomime, comedy,  contemporary dance, baroque dance, vocal performance, street theater, comedic theater, one-man-show, contortion, acrobatics, flute orchestra, etc.
Website	http://en.awajiartcircus.com/
Organizers	Awaji Art Circus Executive Committee Honorary President: Toshizō Ido (Governor, Hyogo Prefecture) Committee Chairman: Yasuhiko Kado (Mayor, Awaji City) Vice Chairpersons: Michihiro Takeuchi (Mayor, Sumoto City), Katsuhisa Nakata (Mayor, Minamiawaji City), Tsutomu Ohara (Director, Awaji Citizens’ Bureau), Yoshimi Takigawa (Board Chairperson, Awaji Island Kuniumi Association), Yasuyuki Nambu (Founder and CEO, Pasona Group Inc.) Secretariat Head: Elena Bzhola
Supporters	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Tourism Agency, The Japan Foundation,nine national embassies, and more.
Inquiries	Awaji Art Circus Executive Committee Secretariat  +81-799-73-2280
Other	Awaji Art Circus has been officially recognized by The Agency for Cultural Affairs “Kansai Genki Bunkaken Participation Project” and the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts “This is MECENAT 2016”.

Outline: Awaji Art Circus 2016  Crowdfunding

Contacts
Public Relations Department  
Pasona Group Inc.
 81-3-6734-0215
 p.kohoshitsu@pasonagroup.co.jp