Backstory
A Very Interesting and Famous Video
Humanity and festivals share an inseparable bond. Throughout human history, festivals have always played a crucial role. They were opportunities to express awe and faith towards nature, strengthen community ties, and, most importantly, were vital spaces for people to dance, celebrate, and rejoice together.
While festivals continue to be passed down today in various forms, in modern society, factors such as technological advancement, globalization, and societal maturation are causing festivals, and consequently human connections, to become increasingly diluted.
The Intrinsic Value of Matsuri
We believe that originally, matsuri possess the following intrinsic values:
Passion (Individual Power) Participants' passion and creativity are the driving force behind the diversity and vitality of a matsuri. This driving force might start with an experienced organizer or just a single student. As this individual power spreads to a larger group, the entire matsuri elevates into something truly enthusiastic.
Enthusiasm (Collective Power) At the heart of a matsuri lies the collective enthusiasm of the people. This "enthusiasm-driven" force creates a dynamic process where individual excitement amplifies into the group and further propagates worldwide. Like a chain reaction, each person's small spark becomes a large flame illuminating the world.
Interaction Transcending Language The magic of matsuri lies in its power to unite people beyond language barriers. Cheers, music, dance, shared hobbies and tastes, and the excitement and joy experienced together—these are universal means of communication that do not require language. This "interaction transcending language" creates a space where people from all over the world can truly connect and understand each other.
Synergy between Matsuri and Net Culture
"Matsuri" is a word that demonstrates its true value not only in physical spaces but also online. For example, in Japanese internet memes, when a significant event captures public attention, it is often referred to as an "omatsuri sawagi" (festival-like commotion) or "matsuri." This is a very familiar meme word for Japanese people. This perfectly signifies the chain of enthusiasm in the digital space, not just the real world, that the Matsuri Foundation aims for.
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