Paper short abstract:

This paper will present the organisation and reveal multiple meanings of Higashi-kujo Madang festival and find out how different ethnic groups of people work together to make their society a mutual and globalized community.

Paper long abstract:

Kyoto prides itself as a "city of festivals," and matsuri events in the city are quite common—some sort of matsuri could be found on any given week. One of festival that occurs every year in Kyoto since 1993 is Higashi-kujo Madang that in the light of Japan being recognised as a multicultural state developed in an event that creates the counter space of identity in Kyoto. Although it is not a "common festival" it still an event that opens up to a public sphere on a public street and show an alternative to everyday life as this is now supplied by the state organised by a neighbourhood association (chounaikai). As a festival it creates a space of festivity, with various entertainments, artistry, drama, games, food, music, dance: a whole repertoire of festival practices on display. However, as organised by Korean minority living in a district of Higashi Kujo, it is also a social movement of marginalised voices and as such commonly described by its organizers as a tabunka matsuri ("multicultural festival"), where Japanese themselves also participate and thus creating mutual society. This paper will thus present the organisation and reveal multiple meanings of Higashi-kujo Madang festival and find out how different groups of people work together to make their society a multicultural and a mutual globalized community.