Documentary Screening of "Dance, Sing, Connect" to Be Held in Nekko Village, Ani, Akita
Since 2018, WOW has been running BAKERU School, a traveling educational program that partners with local folk performing arts groups and visits elementary schools across Japan. Through this initiative, WOW encountered Nekko Bangaku in Ani, Akita Prefecture, and the Biratori Ainu Traditional Dance of Biratori, Hokkaido. In fiscal year 2025, these two regions and their folk performing arts traditions were brought together through a unique cultural exchange. Inspired by the people who continue to preserve these traditions and by the values they share, WOW documented this exchange in the film "Dance, Sing, Connect." In July 2026, a screening and talk event was held at Sapporo University. Now, a new screening and talk event has been scheduled for Saturday, November 14, in Ani, Akita Prefecture. The event will take place at Matagi no Daidokoro Uhee, a community hub in Nekko Village, renowned as the birthplace of the matagi hunting culture. Serving as a restaurant, lodging facility, and game-processing center, Uhee has also gained attention as a venue that actively shares and promotes local culture.
Talk Session Featuring Nekko Bangaku Preservation Society, Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society, and Director Daisuke Takahira (WOW)
Ainu culture in Hokkaido is said to have had a significant influence on the cultures of the Tohoku region. Through its BAKERU and BAKERU School tours, WOW has met many people dedicated to preserving local songs and dances, gaining insight into the meaning of cultural inheritance and the hopes and beliefs embodied in traditional performances and costumes. Perhaps local traditions have survived to the present day because of the passion and commitment of the people who carry them forward. In addition to the documentary screening, this event will feature a talk session with representatives of the Nekko Bangaku Preservation Society, the Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society, and Daisuke Takahira (WOW), who directed the film. The session will explore the participants’ experiences, shared perspectives between the two communities, and stories that could not be fully conveyed through the documentary, offering a deeper understanding of traditional culture and folk performing arts.Loading...
"Dance, Sing, Connect" Screening Event Information Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM (Doors open at 2:30 PM) Venue: Matagi no Daidokoro Uhee Address: 95 Nekomata, Neko, Ani, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture Capacity: Approximately 20 participants Admission: Free ▶︎Registration Form *Japanese Only Organized by: WOW / Tateito Yokoito Supported by: Matagi no Daidokoro Uhee / Neko Bangaku Preservation Society / Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society
