The 21st Kobe Luminarie: Connecting the Spirit of Recovery to the Next Generation

 

Kobe Luminarie has been held annually since December of the year the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck southern Hyogo Prefecture on January 17, 1995. It symbolizes the dreams and hopes of Kobe's city and citizens as an event to pass on the memory of the disaster to future generations.

At the lighting ceremony, a moment of silence was first observed to honor the souls of those who lost their lives in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and other disasters.

Following this, Mayor Kiyotsugu Hisamoto of Kobe City, who also serves as Chairman of the organizing committee, delivered remarks. He stated, "Along with expressing our gratitude for the 21st year of this event, we wish to continue the Kobe Luminarie without letting the light of hope fade, so that it may be passed on to future generations."

Next, 65 sixth-grade students from Kobe Municipal Nishinada Elementary School, part of the "Happiness-Bringing Choir," performed the song "May Happiness Come" under the direction of their teacher, Makoto Usui. This song was composed and written by the teacher immediately after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and is sung every year at the Luminarie lighting ceremony.

Then, as "Kobe Luminarie: Bell of Hope" filled the venue, 300,000 lights illuminated simultaneously. Cheers erupted.

While previous Luminarie installations used incandescent bulbs except for some small pieces, this year all works utilize LED bulbs. Additionally, the covered corridor "Galleria Coperta," making its Japanese debut, appears. It offers a romantic experience surrounded by light from all four directions—the approximately 15-meter ceiling and the left, right, and front sides.

This year's production director is Italian artist Daniel Monteverde. Originally, the majestic light art from Italy, first illuminated in Kobe's night sky during its recovery phase, brought profound emotion and courage to the citizens. It also generated significant economic ripple effects, becoming a pillar of winter tourism promotion and aiming to establish itself as a winter tradition in Kobe. At its peak, it attracted 5 million visitors annually.

However, in recent years, a severe shortage of operating funds has threatened its continuation. To sustain this event supported by the understanding and cooperation of organizers, citizens, and visitors, funds are being raised through the donation-based crowdfunding platform "Japan Giving." Additionally, donation boxes are placed within the venue during the event, calling for a "100-yen donation per person."

Related article: Kobe Luminarie seeks funding for event