Richmond to Welcome Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 10, 2009
The City of Richmond will provide a special welcome for Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, when they visit the Richmond Olympic Oval today (July 10). Hundreds of invited guests from Richmond’s vibrant Japanese-Canadian community will be on hand to welcome Their Majesties upon their arrival. A special presentation by young Richmond hockey players and a performance by the Richmond Honour Choir will also be part of the welcome.
“We are delighted that the Emperor and Empress have chosen to visit the Richmond Olympic Oval and we’re proud to be able to showcase the signature venue of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. ” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “We’re also proud to showcase the cultural harmony and diversity for which Richmond is known worldwide. Richmond has a very active and vibrant Japanese-Canadian community and this is a particularly exciting and historic event for them.”
Upon arrival at the Oval, the Emperor and Empress will be greeted by a variety of dignitaries, including Mayor Brodie, Premier Gordon Campbell, federal Minister of Sport Gary Lunn and Chiefs of the Four Host First Nations of the 2010 Games.
Their Majesties will then observe a Witness Ceremony, provided by Larry Grant an Elder of the Musqueam Nation, one of the Four Host First Nations of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Oval is located within the traditional territory of the Musqueam and their culture is celebrated in a major public art feature included in the building design.
Their Majesties will then take a tour of the Richmond Olympic Oval, home of speed skating for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Upon entering the building Their Majesties will see a spectacular Ikebana display created by the local branch of Sogetsu Ikebana. Additional displays have been provided by the Ikenobo Ikebana group. Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral arrangement.
Inside the building, they will be greeted by John Furlong, president of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Furlong will introduce members of the Canadian national speed skating team, who will discuss the sport with Their Majesties, while members of the Canadian national team train on the ice. Olympic medallists Denny Morrison and Christine Nesbitt will be among the skaters on hand.
Upon their departure from the Oval, the Emperor and Empress will listen to 50 members of the Richmond Honour Choir, who will be performing Field of Spirit, a song written for the choir to commemorate the opening of the Richmond Olympic Oval. The Richmond Honour Choir is comprised of students from all across the Richmond School District.
The Emperor and Empress will then be greeted by a group of young Richmond hockey players, including members of the Richmond Sockeyes and players from Richmond Girls Ice Hockey, the Richmond Minor Hockey Association and the Seafair Minor Hockey Association. Trevor Hamaguchi from the Richmond Sockeyes and Kate Reilly from Richmond Girls Ice Hockey will present the Emperor and Empress with 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative pins. The Richmond Sockeyes captured the Western Canadian Junior B hockey championships earlier this year.
Richmond is an Official Venue City for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Richmond Olympic Oval will host the long track speed skating competition for the 2010 Games. The O Zone, Richmond’s official 2010 celebration site, will be home to a major free festival throughout the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Visit www.richmond.ca for more details.
