The anniversary celebration was in a friendly atmosphere from start to finish. After the consul general's congratulatory speech, both mayors from Freiburg and Matsuyama Cities exchanged greetings and presents. Mr. Noshi, the mayor of Matsuyama City, delivered a lecture about the culture, history and location of Matsuyama City as well as some of the sightseeing spots. Lots of people in Freiburg must have been interested in Matsuyama City. I hoped that I would see them again in Matsuyama.
For the last part of the celebration, a small reception was scheduled in two adjoining rooms adjacent to the main hall as written in the order of the ceremony in the pictures below. To my big regret, however, when I saw people in the hall standing up, I assumed that the ceremony had come to an end and went out of the building. I didn't pay attention to the order of the ceremony. Most Japanese went out, but German people didn't. My daughter also didn't come out. I entered the building again to find her and heard about the reception. My daughter could understand the German announcement, but most Japanese couldn't. It was regrettable that the reception got ill-assorted.
About 30 minutes later, the lunch meeting was held in a historic building which was a part of the municipal office. My daughter was busy taking snapshots with Freiburgites. The last picture is of Dr. Dieter Salomon, the mayor of Freiburg, my daughter and a member from Matsuyama.
(Vocabulary)
Anniversary Celebration 記念式典
consul general 総領事
adjoining 隣接した, 隣の
adjoin …に隣接する
order of the ceremony 式次第
ill-assorted ちぐはぐした
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