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After the hardships of the pandemic, we are finally making a “full recovery.” Enjoy Waseda Festival to the fullest!

“Waseda Festival 2023” will be held on Saturday, November 4th and Sunday, November 5th. Since the spread of the new coronavirus infection, history has been made under various restrictions, but this year, Waseda Festival will be held in a ``complete revival'' without restrictions for the first time in four years. The Waseda Festival management staff, made up of approximately 650 Waseda University students, is working hard every day to make this event happen. We asked the representative of Waseda Festival 2023's management staff and the person in charge of public relations about their thoughts on the event, popular plans, and strategies for getting around the campus.

"Waseda Festival 2023" management staff
Representative Masayuki Samizo, 3rd year School of Political Science and Economics
Chiho Sato, 3rd year School of Political Science and Economics Public Relations Production Bureau

Towards the “complete revival” of Waseda Festival. Overcoming unknown hardships

--The `` Waseda Festival without restrictions'' for the first time in four years. What was the most difficult thing about making a full recovery?

Samizo: As expected, there is no one among the current management staff who has experienced a ``complete face-to-face Waseda Festival''. Of course, we are gathering as much information as possible, such as looking at handover materials and photos, and asking seniors, as we move forward with our plans. However, there are many things that can't be done just by imagining things, and to be honest, I do worry about things like, "What will happen on the day!?"

Still, we want all participating organizations to give their best performance, and our aim remains the same: Waseda Festival that the attendees can enjoy to the fullest.

On the contrary, Waseda Festival faced various unknown challenges during the pandemic. In 2020, the event will be held completely online, in 2021 it will be a hybrid event with some on-campus events being revived and online distribution will also be held, and in 2022 it will be held on campus with a fully ticketed system. , it has not been a setback in any way, and it has been a three-year period in which we have continued to take on various challenges. We are also very conscious of aiming for a "new form of Waseda Festival" that was cultivated there.

Photo left: A photo chosen by Mr. Samizo that symbolizes the 2020 Waseda Festival. Stage performance being distributed online
Photo right: A photo that symbolizes 2021. Although it was a hybrid event, there were few people.

――As a “new Waseda Festival”, what are the differences and features from last year?

Sato: The big thing is that there are more plans and measures that can be enjoyed face-to-face. The number of food stalls has increased significantly from 17 last year to approximately 85, and the number of planned events has increased from 300 to approximately 450. Another major feature of this year is that we have lifted the ban on audience vocal support during stage presentations.

We hope you will enjoy a variety of Waseda culture while touring a wide variety of events, and there will also be plenty of food stalls set up by Waseda University students and collaborative menus with local restaurants. I think the charm of face-to-face experiences is that you can enjoy and experience things that can only be enjoyed here.

Samizo: We place emphasis on face-to-face events, but on the other hand, I think there are some people who find it easier to participate in online distribution, which was the case until last year. Therefore, the stage in front of the Okuma Memorial Auditorium and the stage in front of Toyama Campus cafeteria will also be streamed live. We will also be posting videos that convey the atmosphere of the day on the official Waseda Festival YouTube channel, so we aim to make them enjoyable for Waseda fans who are unable to attend, such as those who live far away, Alumnus (graduates), etc. 

Expected attendance is 200,000 people. Going beyond the framework of a “school festival” to become a “Waseda regional festival”

--About 85 store openings and about 450 projects. It is truly Japan's largest school festival. That's why I think there are many people who are confused about how to go about it. What is the key to success?

Sato: Let me introduce three points here. The first is a project where you can spin free gacha-gacha machines at the information desks on Waseda Campus and Toyama Campus. The contents of the gacha gacha introduce various recommended projects, so the chance encounter will make you think ``I want to go there'' or ``this looks interesting.''

Second, there is an "official pamphlet" that will be handed out to all visitors. It covers how to walk around each Waseda Festival campus and information on all the plans, so we would be happy if you could use it as a companion when you visit.

Thirdly, we also have targeted plans. For example, we offer "Waseda's Most Wanted Classes" for prospective students, where they can actually experience mock classes. We also provide a salon for Alumnus to use as a place to relax, and we also plan tours for Waseda residents and first-time visitors to visit Waseda Festival together with management staff. I am. I think it's fun to look around and find projects that match your attributes and who you are.

--I heard that Waseda Festival management staff is also preparing various plans. Among them, what are the most noteworthy projects?

Sato: First of all, "WASEDA PARADE 2023". Going beyond the framework of ``Waseda University's school festival,'' it is a ``Waseda regional festival'' that is unique to face-to-face events, where you can enjoy performances that involve the city, and cheering clubs and others will also participate as they parade through the streets of Waseda.

The second is the "Eco Candle Project" (*). This is an SDGs-related project in which visitors will make candles using waste oil from local restaurants and food stalls, which will be displayed at the end. I think it's simply fun to present something you've actually made with your own hands, so I'd like you to experience it.

(*) Details of the eco candle project
[Location] Room 313, Building No. 8 Waseda Campus
[Time] Production date and time: 11/4 (Sat) 10:30-14:00, 11/5 (Sun) 10:30-14:00 Exhibition date and time: 11/4 (Sat) 16:30-17:30, 11/5 (Sun) 16:30-17:30
[How to participate] No reservation required

Photo right: “WASEDA PARADE 2022”
Photo left: “Official pamphlet”, a must-have item to enjoy Waseda Festival 2023

--By the way, what is the expected number of visitors? Also, please let me know if there are any precautions you should take when visiting.

Samizo: Last year, we prepared tickets for 60,000 people and reached capacity quite early. I realized how many people are looking forward to Waseda Festival. In that sense, one guideline is the number that was recorded at Waseda Festival 2019 before the coronavirus, which attracted a total of 200,000 people over two days.

However, it has been reported in the news that the fireworks festivals held in various places in the summer were overflowing with people who wanted to go and see the festival after a long absence. It seems that the number of visitors to Waseda's open campus this year was the highest ever, not just for festivals.

Of course, it's fun and exciting to have a lot of visitors. However, there are many different situations that can occur. We are making preparations to ensure that everyone can enjoy Waseda Festival safely and comfortably, including barrier-free initiatives, setting up rest areas for visitors, managing and guiding traffic flow, and responding to emergencies. For visitors, we expect the Tokyo Metro Waseda Station to be crowded, so if you use Takadanobaba Station or the Toden Arakawa Line Waseda Station, you will be able to avoid the crowds and come to Waseda Festival. In addition, we have prepared a cloakroom to store visitors' luggage, which is an initiative not often seen at other university festivals, so please feel free to use it.

Waseda Festival where we can be proud and say, "This is Waseda today."

--Please tell us the thoughts behind this year's catchphrase "Yumehibike".

Samizo: Before creating a catchphrase, we, Waseda Festival Executive Committee, create a theme for the year. This year's theme is "Dreams bloom, sprouting tomorrow." At Waseda, there are many people who are active in student club activities, are enthusiastic about something, and are pursuing what they want to do. I think it's the best in Japan in terms of diversity.

I hope that Waseda Festival will express this ``something we continue to pursue'' with the word ``dream,'' and that it will become a place for the presentation of results. We hope that the dreams of each Waseda University student will blossom at Waseda Festival, and that it will touch the hearts of those who attend. With this meaning in mind, we chose the catchphrase ``Yumehibike''.

Under this catchphrase, we are conscious of getting people to see ``Today's Waseda''. The "Waseda-ness" that has remained unchanged since the university's founding, and what has changed after overcoming the three years of the pandemic. We are conscious of the idea of `` Waseda Festival 2023,'' which is a fusion of these elements that we can be proud of and say, ``This is Waseda today.''

--What is the “unchanging Waseda-ness”?

Samizo: Actually, my father also graduated from Waseda University, and I've heard stories from his student days since I was little. In the end, what's important is that you love Waseda and are proud of Waseda. These Waseda lovers connect with each other and with Alumnus. I think that's where the "Waseda-ness" lies.

In the sense of connection, there is also a ``connection with the city.'' There are seven shopping streets around the university. I think this is amazing. Collaboration with the shopping district is also an important role for our management staff, and during our interactions we often hear people say, ``There is no other school festival where the city and university are so integrated.'' I think that is also part of the “Waseda-ness”.

――So, what is the “current Waseda-likeness” that has overcome these three years?

Samizo: ``Culture is something that people are responsible for.'' These are the words of the representative of Waseda Festival management staff when I enrolled, and I believe that each student is ``the embodiment of Waseda as it is today.'' It would be great if you could experience and enjoy the scenery of "current Waseda culture" created by students with a variety of experiences over the past three years.

Interview and text: Naoto Oguma (Graduated from School of Letters, Arts and Sciences II in 2002)
Photography: Kota Nunokawa

Waseda Festival is not the only school festival! Let's visit the science school festival "Science and Technology Exhibition"

Don't miss the 70th Science and Engineering Exhibition, a school festival held by the three science and engineering faculties on Nishi-Waseda Campus Waseda Festival (November 4th and 5th). We asked the representative of the Science and Technology Exhibition Liaison Committee about this year's highlights and enthusiasm.

Science and Engineering Exhibition Liaison Committee Representative Manato Nukata, 3rd year School of Advanced Science and Engineering

The 70th Science and Technology Exhibition will focus on face-to-face events, with a wide range of events from research presentations and lectures to experiment experiences in which visitors can participate, allowing everyone to see, feel, and enjoy the various aspects of science. We aim to receive it. We also have a wide range of content such as websites and apps so that you can enjoy the science and technology exhibition online.

Among the plans for the Science and Engineering Exhibition, one that we recommend is a lecture by inviting educational YouTuber Takumi Yobinori. He will talk about the appeal and depth of science and engineering while looking back on his own life. Waseda University students who are worried about their future or want to increase their motivation for studying are welcome to come.

The theme of this year's Science and Engineering Exhibition, "Spark," is an English word that means "spark" or "momentary brilliance," and can also mean "vitality, energy," or "opportunity." The Science and Technology Exhibition Liaison Committee worked together with the cooperation of various people to create a momentary, special day in which everyone involved in the Science and Technology Exhibition shines and is full of energy, and the Science and Technology Exhibition serves as an opportunity for new discoveries and ideas. ! I would be happy if you could enjoy the fun that you can't get at Waseda Festival.

 

[Next Focus Preview] “Carbon Neutral Special” to be released on November 6th (Monday)