20th Anniversary of the Japanese-American Plaza
Oregon Nikkei Endowment continues celebrating its 20th year in 2010 with a rededication of the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Friday, July 30th. The poetry of Lawson Inada, Hisako Saito, Masaki Kinoshita, and Shizue Iwatsuki combines with the stunning and thoughtful design of landscape designer Robert Murase and sculpture of Jim Gion to form not only a place of respite within the city, but also a place of remembrance, and a place to both acknowledge and educate.
Beginning at 5pm at the Plaza, the celebration will include special guests Justice Michael Gillette of the Oregon Supreme Court, former Poet Laureate of Oregon Lawson Inada, the Minidoka Swing Band, Portland Taiko and many others. A special collaborative project between Portland poet and writer Kaia Sand, Sisters of the Road, Transition Projects, Inc. and Oregon Nikkei Endowment will be just one part of this special and free event.
The celebration then continues at the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, just steps away from the Plaza. Bring your family and friends to enjoy community sponsored music, crafts, food and a festive beer garden to celebrate this award-winning landmark.
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The Portland Chapter of JETAA (The JET Program Alumni Association) was created to serve the bonds of friendship developed by the program participants. JETAA’s purpose is to achieve, through its activities, a broader and deeper understanding between Japan and the other countries participating in the program.
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