Hirosaki University's student group "Hirosaki Glocal Action" is currently looking for supporters for a project to purchase a "street organ" and bring the city to life.

The group was launched by students who took the community-oriented course "Connecting the Region and the World", sponsored the outdoor event "French weather-Marche" with the keyword "Hirosaki x France", and summarized the French culture in Hirosaki. We are developing activities to publish free papers.

This project is planned as part of an activity to convey the appeal of the automatic musical instrument "Street Organ" that originated in Europe to Hirosaki. The goal is to purchase a "street organ" based on the funds collected through the crowdfunding site and perform at events such as Hirosaki.

A street organ is an instrument that makes a music box-like sound by turning a manual lever. Since the melody of the special score called "book" is played, the songs can be replaced by changing the book. It is characterized by its gentle tone and is still popular mainly in Europe.

Until now, at group-sponsored events, the performance was performed by borrowing an instrument from Sendai-based writer Shimano Yuji, who produces the "street organ," but many people have expressed appreciation for the street organ. Therefore, he said he wanted to actually purchase a "street organ" and spread it to Hiromae.

Yuki Yoneuchiyama, a member of the group and a third-year student at Hirosaki University, recalls, "We started this project in March, but we couldn't go to school due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and we have been discussing it at online meetings on a daily basis."

Crowdfunding support recruitment began on September 2. “I feel like I've finally taken the first step in the project,” says Yoneuchiyama. "The activities so far have been supported by city subsidies, but we started the project thinking about what we could do. We would like to cooperate with the supporters and succeed."

There are 6 types of support courses, including student-only courses. Prepare return items such as the name on the book attached to the purchased street organ, a message of thanks from the members, and the right to actually rent the "street organ".

Mr. Yoneuchiyama said, "I am grateful for the help of various people during my activities. I asked people who lost their energy due to the new coronavirus to get well through the" street organ "for one day. But I hope it helps to get back to normal quickly. "

Call for support until October 31st.