UWF plants 100 cherry trees to celebrate centennial festival
On March 30, the University of West Florida (UWF) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, commemorating the gift of cherry trees given by Japan to the U.S. on March 27, 1912. UWF was selected as the official site of the festival for the state of Florida.
On March 30, the University of West Florida (UWF) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, commemorating the gift of cherry trees given by Japan to the U.S. on March 27, 1912. UWF was selected as the official site of the festival for the state of Florida.
One hundred cherry trees were planted around campus. Congressman Jeff Miller, Florida Secretary of State Kenneth Detzner, Secretary of the Florida Lottery Cynthia O’Connell, CEO and President of the Florida House on Capitol Hill Bart Hudson, Consul General Eiichi Kawahara, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward and UWF President Judith Bense spoke about the festival and the gift.
Speeches from the guests were accompanied by cultural entertainment, including dance and musical performances. Fusataka Homma, an 87 year old dancer from Japan, also performed. He was designated as the National Treasure of Japan in 1975. A group of students from Gero, Japan, Pensacola’s sister city, treated the crowd to a musical performance, earning a standing ovation.
“We are grateful for the privilege of planting this gift of 100 cherry trees as a symbol of our campus’s and country’s relationship with Japan,” said Bense. “Today, we honor our Japanese friends.”
Rep. Miller stressed the partnership between UWF and Japan and the fact that UWF was representative of the state of Florida on such an occasion.
“I can think of no better place for this festival than UWF,” said Rep. Miller.
“Culture and history is important to everyone,” said Detzner. “I welcome any opportunity to celebrate that.”
Mayor Hayward echoed his sentiments.
“Pensacola is fortunate to have the Japan House at UWF and an ongoing relationship with Japan,” said Hayward. “These trees mark the spirit of friendship.”
Following the presentation, the ceremony moved to the Japan House to witness the planting of the trees.
“It’s my joy to share this festival and this anniversary with everyone,” said Eiichi Kawahara, consul general of Japan from Miami.
Thirty-six other cities across the country celebrated the festival March 30.
For information on the Japan House, visit http://uwf.edu/japanhouse/.
