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After the hardships of the pandemic, WASEDASAI is finally back! Let's enjoy it to the fullest!

WASEDASAI 2023 will be held on Saturday, November 4th and Sunday, November 5th. Since the spread of COVID-19, the festival has been held under various restrictions, but this year, for the first time in four years, WASEDASAI will be "fully revived" without any restrictions. The WASEDASAI management staff, made up of approximately 650 Waseda University students, are working hard every day to make the festival happen. We spoke to the representative and public relations officer of the WASEDASAI 2023 management staff about their thoughts on the event, notable events, and tips for touring the campus.

WASEDASAI 2023 Management Staff
Representative: Masayuki Samizo, 3rd year student School of Political Science and Economics
Chiho Sato, 3rd year student, School School of Political Science and Economics Public Relations and Production Department

Towards a "complete revival" of WASEDASAI. Overcoming unknown hardships

--This is the first time in four years that the "Unrestricted WASEDASAI" has been held. What was particularly difficult about making it a complete comeback?

Samizo: First of all, the problem is that none of the current management staff have experienced a "fully in-person WASEDASAI." Of course, we are gathering as much information as possible by looking at handover documents and photos, asking our seniors, and so on, and moving forward with the plans. However, there are many aspects that cannot be managed by imagination alone, and to be honest, we are worried about what will happen on the day.

However, we still want all participating groups to give their all in their performances, and our aim remains the same: to make WASEDASAI one that visitors can enjoy to the fullest.

In fact, even in the midst of the pandemic, WASEDASAI faced many unknown challenges. While the format changed—2020 was a completely online event, 2021 saw a partial return to on-campus events with online streaming, and 2022 will see a campus event with a fully ticketed system—it was by no means a setback, and the past three years have seen us continue to take on various challenges. We are keenly aware of the new format of WASEDASAI we have cultivated.

Left: A photo chosen by Samizo to symbolize WASEDASAI in 2020. A stage performance being streamed online.
Photo on the right: A photo symbolizing 2021. Although the event was held in a hybrid format, there were few people.

--As the "New WASEDASAI," 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.''

Secondly, we will be handing out an official pamphlet to all visitors. It contains comprehensive information on how to get around each campus and all the events at WASEDASAI, so we hope you will keep it handy when you visit.

Thirdly, we also have events that are targeted to specific audiences. For example, we have a "Waseda's Most Wanted Class" event, where prospective students can actually experience a mock class. We also have a salon available for Alumnus to relax in, and we have planned tours of WASEDASAI with the Waseda Festival staff for people in the Waseda area and those visiting the school for the first time. It's fun to find an event that suits your attributes and personality.

--We heard that WASEDASAI staff are also preparing a variety of events. Among them, which one is the most noteworthy?

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 on the right: Scenes from "WASEDA PARADE 2022"
Left: The official pamphlet, a must-have item for enjoying WASEDASAI 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 60,000 tickets and reached capacity fairly quickly. This made us realize just how many people are looking forward to WASEDASAI. In that sense, one benchmark is the figure of 200,000 people who attended the pre-COVID-19 WASEDASAI 2019 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 delightful to have so many visitors. However, a wide variety of situations can arise during this time. We are making preparations to ensure that everyone can enjoy WASEDASAI safely and comfortably, including barrier-free access measures, the installation of rest areas for visitors, traffic flow management and guidance, and emergency response. Visitors are expected to experience heavy congestion at Tokyo Metro Waseda Station, so if you also use Takadanobaba Station or Waseda Station on the Toden Arakawa Line, you will be able to avoid the crowds and still get to WASEDASAI. Also, in an initiative not often seen at other university festivals, we have provided a cloakroom where visitors can store their luggage, so please feel free to make use of 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 we create a catchphrase, we, WASEDASAI Executive Committee, create a theme for the year. This year's theme is "Dreams Bloom, Buds for Tomorrow." Waseda has many active student club activities, people who are passionate about something, and people who continue to pursue what they want to do. I think Waseda has the highest level of diversity in Japan.

We want the "things we continue to pursue" to be expressed as "dreams," and we want WASEDASAI to be a place where people can present their achievements. We want the dreams of each and every Waseda student to blossom at WASEDASAI and resonate with the hearts of those who attend. With this meaning in mind, we came up with the catchphrase "Yume Hibike."

Under this catchphrase, we are conscious of showing the "Waseda of today." We are conscious of fusing together the "Waseda-ness" that has remained unchanged since the university was founded and the changes that have occurred since overcoming the three years of the pandemic, to create a "WASEDASAI 2023" that we can be proud of and say, "This is the Waseda of 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 carried by people"... These are the words of the head of WASEDASAI organizing staff when I enrolled, but I believe that each and every student embodies the current Waseda. I would be most grateful if you could experience and enjoy the scenery of "current Waseda culture" created by students who have gained a wide range 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

WASEDASAI isn't the only school festival! Come to the science school festival "Rikoten"

Don't miss the 70th Rikoten, a school festival held by the three faculties of science and engineering at Nishi-Waseda Campus on the same dates as WASEDASAI (November 4th and 5th). We spoke to the representative of Rikoten Liaison Committee about this year's highlights and his enthusiasm.

Representative of Rikoten Liaison Committee: Manato Nukata, 3rd year student School of Advanced Science and Engineering

The 70th Rikoten will be held primarily in person, with a wide range of events planned, from research presentations and lectures to visitor-participation experiments, with the aim of allowing everyone to see, feel, and enjoy the various aspects of science. In addition, we have prepared a range of content, including a website and app, so that you can enjoy Rikoten online as well.

One of the most recommended events at the Rikoten is the lecture by educational YouTuber Yobinori Takumi. He will talk about the appeal and depth of science and engineering while looking back on his own life. Waseda students who are worried about their future or who want to boost their motivation to study should definitely come.

This year's theme for Rikoten is "Spark," an English word that means "spark" or "a moment of brilliance," and also means "vitality, energy," and "opportunity." With the cooperation of many people, the Science and Rikoten Rikoten Committee has worked together to create this special day, full of vitality, where everyone involved in Rikoten can shine and become a catalyst for new discoveries and ideas! We hope you will enjoy the fun that you can't experience at WASEDASAI.

 

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