Hello, this is the Domingo editorial team. Suddenly, I am wondering if all of you who live in Hokkaido have heard of "Domingo Day"? I've heard of it, but I don't know what exactly it is... I live in a rural area, so I don't think it matters.... You think so...! Michimin-no-Day, which falls on July 17 every year, is a very "special" day. In this issue of TOPICS, we will introduce the reason why Michi-Min Day was established and four events you can enjoy on the day.

What is Michimin-no-Day?

Ceremony to commemorate the establishment of "Hokkaido Minnen no Hi" (Photo courtesy of Mr. Shigeki Kato, Counselor, Policy Bureau, Hokkaido Policy Division)

Actually, "Hokkaido Minnen no Hi" is a nickname, and its official name is "Hokkai [道][Michi][Min][N][N][Hokkaido][Do][Min][N][N]". It is a commemorative day according to the "Hokkaido Everybody's Day Ordinance" enacted in 2009, and is designated as July 17 every year. The reason for this date is derived from the explorer Takeshiro Matsuura, the godfather of Hokkaido. In 1869, Takeshiro Matsuura proposed "Hokkaidō" to the Meiji government as a new name to replace "Ezochi" (Hokkaido), and the date of July 17 was chosen to commemorate this event.

What is held on DOMINICAN DAY?

Members of the Hokkaido Police Band (photo courtesy of the Hokkaido Police Band)

DOMINION DAY was created to provide an opportunity for those of us living in modern times to reflect on Hokkaido's history, culture, and other values, and to think about the future of Hokkaido. On this day, more than 60 museums and art museums in Hokkaido will offer free or discounted admission. It's a very good deal! There will also be a variety of commemorative events around "Dominin Day" to celebrate Hokkaido. Here are four recommended events that will be held on the day!

Event 1 【Hokkaido Police Band Concert to Commemorate "Hokkaido Minna no Hi" (Everyone's Day in Hokkaido)

To commemorate "Hokkaido Everybody's Day," a concert will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 17 in the front yard of the Hokkaido Prefectural Government's Red Brick Building. Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 *to be cancelled in case of rain Time: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Venue: Forecourt of Hokkaido Government Red Brick Hall, Sapporo Fee: Free, no advance registration required Performance: Hokkaido Police Band

Event 2 【Lunchtime Seminar in Commemoration of "Hokkaido Everybody's Day

In commemoration of "Hokkaido Everybody's Day," a lunchtime seminar titled "Takeshiro Matsuura, the 'godfather of Hokkaido' and a giant traveler who lived through the end of the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration" will be held. Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Time: 12:15-13:00 Venue: Conference Room 2, Red Brick Building, Hokkaido Government Office, Sapporo Fee: Free, no advance registration required Lecturer: Mr. Yasuyuki Miura, Chief Curator, Hokkaido Museum

Event 3 [Hakobi x Mokuiku: Let's put a gentle breeze of the forest on a postcard with wooden stickers♪] at Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido

Hakobi Atelier "Hakobi x Mokuiku: Let the Breeze of the Forest Shown on Postcards with Wooden Stickers" will be held at the Hokkaido Hakodate Museum of Art. Participants will make original postcards by collaging stickers made of wood from the southern part of Hokkaido. Dates: July 13 (Sat) to August 18 (Sun), 2019 Venue: Hokkaido Hakodate Museum of Art Hall, Hakodate City Fee: Free to experience

Event 4 【Domin's Day "Talking about Wave Echoes

In honor of "Dominin Day," we will talk about the works of Habibiki Kakizaki (1764-1826), a painter from the late Edo period, which are included in the Chikami Collection's "Habibiki Kakisaki: A Man of Elegance" exhibition. Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Time: 14:00-16:00 Venue: Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo Lecturer: Kenichiro Inoue (art historian) Various other events and exhibitions will be held around "Dominin Day" throughout Hokkaido. Popular facilities such as the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples in Abashiri City and the Hokkaido Obihiro Art Museum in Obihiro City will also offer free admission to their permanent collections on July 17. Please check the list on the official website of "DOMINICAN DAY"! h ttp://w ww.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/ssa/717.htm

Summary

(Photo by Domingo editorial department)

In this issue of TOPICS, we introduced "Hokkaido Everybody's Day" on July 17. Were there any events that caught your attention?

How about taking a look back at the history and culture of Hokkaido by touring museums and art galleries at a discount this "Domingo Day"? Let's enjoy "Dominin Day" on July 17!

Interviewed by: Counselor, Policy Bureau, Hokkaido Policy DepartmentCreated by: Domingo Editorial Department*Domingo is registered as a Domingo Day related project.