About Vinícius

(0 out of 5 complete)

Get a photograph with 15 different kinds of caterpillars or worms (0/15)
(Incomplete)

Learn some basic words of the native language or dialect of every host
(Incomplete)

Visit at least 20 different national parks (0/20)
(Incomplete)

Go on a tour of a national government building
(Incomplete)

Go on an overnight train journey or cruise
(Incomplete)

View Printable

Travelog post for: Vinícius

Go to full travelog

The German House - Bando, Naruto, Japan - 14th March 2010

By: hanachan

Hi, Mutti!
I'm in Bando, a small town in Naruto city, Tokushima prefecture.
There were a WWI POW camp in 1917-1920, and about 1000 German soldiers captured in Tsingtao (which Germany leased at that time) were sent here. Do you know that?
German POWs were able to live freely in the camp as much as possible. People in community called them "Doitsu-san" (Mr. German) and made a good friendship as neighbors.
Many of German soldiers were good performers of music. So they constructed orchestra and gave concerts.
The first complete performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony in Japan was given here by POW orchestra.
That's the reason why the statue of Beethoven stands here.
The German House was built as the memorial for the friendship with German POW and people in Bando.

By the way, Mutti, it's very nice day. The sky is so bright.
I'm sure that spring has come!
Mata ne!

Posted Mar 20, 2010, 6:06 am Last edited Mar 20, 2010, 5:16 pm by hanachan [Quote]