Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Social Dinner

On next Suturday, July 22, social dinner hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Mori and Mrs. Mori is to be held in Shuri-jo castle, Naha, Okinawa, in the presence of heads of G8 states and governments. This dinner is going to be one of the most highlighted events of Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting 2000.

Since April, Reiko Chikada had been appointed to the chief lighting director of the celemony. July 20, Chikada arrived at Shuri-jo and began finishing preperation. The concept of lighting is "hospitable light from Okinawa's history and culture," that features:
(1) Beautiful curve of castle wall along the approach
(2) Interior illumination for Keizu-za and Yomotsu-za which G8 leaders are to first visit
(3) Shicha nu Una(the smaller courtyard), where traditional dance and music is to be performed
(4) Una(main courtyard), the axis of Shuri-jo castle

Shicha nu Una is Shuri-jo's smaller courtyard used as waiting space for celemony. This time, traditional dance and music will be performed here by local citizens. A pillar of light stands right up to the sky from searchlights installed in Suimui Utaki, the most sacred place of Shuri-jo castle. The pillar symbolizes the G8 members' hope for peace and prosperity, and those who look up the pillar will be sharing the historical moment with G8 leaders.

Una,main courtyard of Shuri-jo castle, was built by kings of Ryukyu dinasty as the center and axis of Shuri-jo castle. Kings used to hold a celemony of welcoming embassy from China here in front of Seiden, the King's Palace. This time, Una is again a place for welcoming mission from abroad, with the view of Seiden, Nanden and Hokuden dignified in its original glory.

The dinner is to be broadcast live by NHK and NHK's experimental BS digital emmission on July 22 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. (Japanese standard time).

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