Marianas joins Nippon Domannaka Festival in Nagoya, Japan

The Marianas participated in the 26th Annual Nippon Domannaka Festival in Nagoya, Japan on Aug. 23-25, 2024, performing indigenous Carolinian and Chamorro dances for nearly 2 million enthusiastic viewers at the event and around the world.

This year’s festival featured 202 groups and over 20,000 dancers from throughout Japan, with a few special international performances, including the Marianas. Nippon Domannaka Festival—or Domatsuri, for short—is the largest dance festival in central Japan and is held in late summer.

This year’s Marianas delegation was sent by the Marianas Visitors Authority, with further organization and supported by Pacific Development Inc., Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc., honorary Marianas tourism ambassador Kyoko Nakayama and several members of her dance group “Guma’ Famagu’on Tano’ yan i Tasi” (House of the Children of Land and Sea), honorary Marianas tourism ambassador Yoichi Matsumura, and Marianas residents now living in Japan, including Mike Saures and family.

“While a group of fairly well-trained professionals or semi-professionals competed in their own performance skills, The Marianas team—as an overseas guest performer—captivated the audience with our calm and refreshing performance,” said Nakayama. “Some of the audience members who come to see the event every year are familiar with The Marianas team and said, ‘We’ve been waiting for you!’ The Marianas team has been a beloved part of the festival for years, and group leader Gordon Marciano’s shouts and the dancers’ dance moves kept the crowd entertained.”

The group sported a coconut leaf-themed uniform T-shirt that also garnered interest and inquiries as they moved throughout the city.

“The Marianas Visitors Authority is so grateful to Gordon, the PDI team, and the local dancers who bring the spirit of our islands to the streets of Nagoya every year at this huge event—Nippon Domannaka festival,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “As one of only a few dance groups from outside Japan, it’s a great opportunity to grow brand awareness for the Marianas. At receptions, parades, and performances under the night lights or hot midday sun, our dancers always represent our islands with enthusiasm and make us proud.”

The Marianas delegation had five performances at several venues throughout the city over the course of the festival. (PR)