Reception and Vigil in Commemoration of the Great East Japan Earthquake Presented by OJCA, CJSO and JETAA Ottawa
On March 11, the reception and vigil in commemoration of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held by the Ottawa Japanese Canadian Association (OJCA), the Canada-Japan Society of Ottawa (CJSO), and with the support of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA) Ottawa.
1. The commemorative reception hosted by JETAA Ottawa
The commemorative reception organized by JETAA Ottawa at the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held in Ottawa. OJCA and CJSO as well as the Japanese Canadian and local community helped organizing the event by bringing food to the reception. The reception was attended by approximately 50 people including members from the Canadian Red Cross and people who supported Japan through various fund-raising events after the disaster.
At the reception, JETAA Ottawa President Mr. Alex Svetlovsky, Vice-President Ms. Lisa Malin, Minister Yawata of the Embassy, and OJCA President Ms. Hitomi Suzuta each delivered speeches. They expressed their heartfelt sorrow over the affected areas as well as extended their gratitude for the support sent by people after the disaster. They also reiterated their hopes for the reconstruction effort in the affected areas. Attendants folded paper cranes with messages written on each one and brought them to the candlelight memorial service that took place at Parliament Hill (Some cranes were donated to schools where JETAA members formerly taught at).
2. The candlelight memorial service at the Centennial Flame at Parliament Hill was organized by OJCA, with the support of CJSO and JETAA Ottawa.
The candlelight memorial service at the Centennial Flame at Parliament Hill was organized by OJCA, with the support of CJSO and JETAA Ottawa. Speeches were made by OJCA President Ms. Hitomi Suzuta, Minister Yawata of the Embassy, Ms. Donna Boyd, a Disaster Management Volunteer from the Canadian Red Cross, and Mr. Takashi Toyonaka, a member from Ottawa's Japanese drumming group, Oto-Wa Taiko. Some participants took turns expressing their thoughts and feelings for the affected areas followed by a one-minute silent prayer. The event was attended by 300 people and participants offered prayers for the affected areas with candles in their hands under the night sky.
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