FUKUSHIMA - Hula dancers are visiting dozens of elementary schools around Fukushima Prefecture to share a message about overcoming adversity.
The school tour was launched in April to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Joban Music and Dance Institute, which trains performers for the Spa Resort Hawaiians leisure complex in the city of Iwaki, in the same prefecture. The hula dancers will visit schools in 59 cities, towns and villages to speak to children about their experiences following the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
スパリゾートハワイアンズ（福島県いわき市）のフラガールが県内の小学校を巡る出前授業「フラガールきずなスクール」を行っている。フラガールが2011年3月の東日本大震災の経験を基に子どもたちに「生き抜く力」を伝えている。
フラガールを養成する常磐音楽舞踊学院の創立６０周年を記念して４月から始めた取り組みで、県内全５９市町村を訪れる。
On May 7, the dancers visited Mizuho Elementary School in Fukushima City, which was their first tour stop outside Iwaki. Forty-three students from third to sixth grade participated in the event in which dancers Hazuki Minokawa and Ami Niitsuma spoke passionately about having the strength to overcome hardship, the importance of evacuation drills and the preciousness of family, based on their own experiences from the disaster.
5月7日、フラガールはいわき市外への最初の訪問地、福島市の水保小を訪れた。３～６年生４３人が参加した。フラガールの箕川葉月さんと新妻愛海さんが「生き抜く力」をテーマに講義し、震災の経験を踏まえて避難訓練の重要性や家族の大切さを訴えた。
The dancers also touched on how they streamed videos showcasing the joys of hula dancing and got through the three months when the Hawaiian-themed complex was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Things we take for granted won't necessarily always be there," one dancer told the children. "Even so, it's important to not give up and keep moving forward."
新型コロナウイルス禍に動画配信でフラの魅力を発信し、３カ月間に及んだハワイアンズの休館を乗り越えたことにも触れ「当たり前は当たり前じゃない。それでも諦めずに前を向くことが大事」とメッセージを送った。
That message struck a chord with sixth-grader Kairi Goto. "Their talk about the disaster left an impression on me. I'll check with my family where the evacuation centers are so I'll be able to evacuate quickly," Goto said.
Mizuho Elementary Principal Hiroyuki Shigihara added, "I'll be happy if this event inspires the children to have big hopes and dreams."
授業を受けた後藤快俐さん（６年）は「震災の話が印象に残った。避難場所を家族と確認してすぐに避難できるようにしたい」と感想を話した。鴫原浩之校長は「児童が大きな目標や希望を持つきっかけになったらうれしい」と語った。
The event also featured performances by the dancers and a chance for the children to try hula dancing. The children enjoyed the authentic hula experience, swaying their bodies together with the dancers.
（ Translated by The Japan News ）
授業ではフラ体験やフラガールによるショーも行われ、児童らがフラガールと一緒に体を動かしながら本格的なフラを楽しんだ。
【 ２０２４年５月１０日付・福島民友新聞掲載 】
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