WMDF encourages a broad and long perspective. We remember the artists and audiences who have visited us from around the world, and the way that lives have been changed. We look forward to witnessing and taking part in the future stories of those we have encountered in the past.
2023, WMDF 016
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 “High five” theme: 5 days from the 5th August. First-time participant countries Belgium (BEL), Switzerland (CHE), Chile (CHL), Kazakstan (KAZ), and Iran (IRN). Welcome party held on-site for first time, on 2nd floor of “Polaris” building. Design upgrade for the Chara stage. Live on-site printing of festival design on t-shirts and other goods. Online “Artist@WMDF portal” administration system for international artists added to the existing “MoguLogu” for MoguFes booths. Development of bespoke low-code logistics management system, including production of official set lists for each stage. At-a-distance capabilities: Zoom-based staff meetings for staff joining from outside Hakodate, and “Remote Director” operation during festival. Upkeep and renewal of digital environment and software tools: introduction of Lineworks for festival-period staff operations, Peatix + kkday for advance sponsor pass sales, AI software (LLMs) to support catch copy and other text production.
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- Dates:2023/8/5-2023/8/9
- Audience: TBA
- Artists: 25 groups (84 artists, 7 countries/regions)
- WMDF 016 Arist Lineup
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2022, WMDF 015
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 Returning to Motomachi Park after 3 years, for a 3-day event. Ultra-safe health protocols and separation of eating/drinking areas. Planned when Japan was still closed to overseas visitors, we still successfully brought one international band, supported by a roster of multi-cultural acts based in Japan. First use of EZ-Dome structures (backstage) and inflatable arch tent as rain & sunshine cover. The most common audience feedback was “Thank you” – this year was a big stepping stone towards returning stronger and better. Behind the scenes, we got better at design: park signage was re-done and Instagram especially got lots of love. Moved along with automation, deploying our own online system for MoguFes booths, plus a prototype of an artist and logistics management system. Oh, and we finally got rid of some of the traffic cones in the Park…
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2021, WMDF Show
 In this second Corona-affected year, we went full online. We created an online festival space and challenged a 24 hour online streaming! Oct 30. Thanks to international groups from India & Iran for live performances and Indonesia for their Online Premiere. Collaborations with art projects in Tokyo, and some of Japan’s top virtual performers, plus food and shops, through the work of Mitsuboshi Carry. (The WMDF Show replaced international stages and Mogu-Mogu Festival in Motomachi Park). |
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2020, WMDF 013
 Corona affected. Flags installation and 25 live rowboat performances in our inaugural “Moat’s Art” event in Goryokaku Park. (“Hybrid” event: live streamed, on-demand videos, and physical distancing spectators). Selected in August as one of 14 activities for a WAON “Hokkaido Isan” award. NHK and NCV coverage. “Spiral” theme. New artwork design with the legend “Doko-demo Geijutsu-sai” (everywhere is geijutsu-sai). In September, received a bunka-cho award from the Japanese government. From Oct 2019, we ran our first national recruiting drive for volunteer staff to take part as guides for international artists, and we were part of the team from Hokkaido that took the Grand Prize in the four-day Tourism Expo in Osaka. Behind the scenes, we incorporated Airtable into much of our workflow. In Autumn, collaborated with Danshaku Lounge at a 2-day event in Nanae.
(Moat’s Art replaced international stages and Mogu-Mogu Festival in Motomachi Park).
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2019, WMDF 012
 First-time participants Argentina (ARG) and Algeria (DZA) add to “100 Project”. New Gemini stage. “Cycle” theme. New geodesic central “WMDF Hub” tent. Seven-person “Eco-maru-kun” bike loaned from Fukui-ken. Our first crowdfunding. “Hertz” backdrop design on Bunda stage. Festival first indoor interactive installation space. Festival office finds 2F home inside park. Welcomed officials from Beishan World Music Festival. Credit card capability at Main Gate and WMDF Goods store (JACCS collaboration). NCV collaboration brings TeamLab camera and mobile wifi access. SDG boxes display. Earth Day event collaboration. WMDF goods include courier bag (selling out), metal “my straw” and WMDF “my chopsticks”. Oshima sub prefectural collaboration brings “dogu” gifts for artists and dogu workshops in the park. Arrivals lobby display at Hakodate airport. Continued Kimono Day and Fes2Fes. “Twinkle twinkle” hints in stage performances. Invisible ink stamp re-entry system. Folk dance enthusiasts from Tokyo make WMDF tour. “We love WMDF” pass benefits system around town. Test of “WMDF Team” information sharing desktop/mobile app (internal). |
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2018, WMDF 011
 First-time participants Philippines (PHL), Singapore (SGP), and Sri Lanka (SLK). “Kimono Day” experiences for overseas artists. Fes2Fes to promote local events growing together. WMDF goods include Kid’s T-shirts for the first time (selling out). Motomachi Park design renewal. FM Iruka live broadcast booth from the park. Festival etiquette WMDF Way icons. WMDF Voices. Start of “100 Project” to bring our total of countries/regions to three figures. WMDF year-round poster distributed around town. Welcome party in “tune” with donated foods and vegetables. Hakodate city rolls out first “Festival City” publicity. |
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- Dates:2018/8/5-11
- Audience: 25,155
- Artists: 31 groups (142 artists, 9 countries/regions)
- Artists Lineup
- Gallery
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2017, WMDF 010
 During tenth anniversary, combined audience figure passes a third of a million. Main logo re-design. First time participant countries Mexico (MEX) and Austria (AUT). Welcome party in Kanemori Hall. Expanded catering area in Perry Hiroba. Shikishi-based feedback sent to all artists. WMDF uses first floor areas of shashinkan building in park (until 10pm each festival day). |
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- Dates:2017/8/5-11
- Audience: 27,975
- Artists: 37 groups (219 artists, 11 countries/regions)
- Artists Lineup
- Gallery
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2015, WMDF 008
 New “Worlds Meet Circus” event in June. MoguFes expands into the Flare area. Record MoguFes booth numbers again. First-time participants Bangladesh (BGD). T-shirt sponsors means free staff and artist t-shirts for the first time. A record 185 silk flags from the UK. Outreach performance on top of Hakodate Mountain. |
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- Dates:2015/8/5-10
- Audience: 40,210
- Artists: 33 groups (160 artists, 12 countries/regions)
- Artists Lineup
- Gallery
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2014, WMDF 007
 New Chara stage allows “up-close” performances and drop-in schedule. Expansion into “Flare” Area in Perry Hiroba and collaboration with Sports Hokkaido to produce the Waku Waku Festival. First-time participant countries: Malaysia (MYS), Slovakia (SVK). WMDF uses inside of shashinkan for the first time. Record MoguFes booth numbers. WMDF stages run for six days again, and we continue the exchange token system for Sponsor Passes. |
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- Dates:2014/8/4-10
- Audience: 29,240
- Artists: 34 groups (191 artists, 11 countries/regions)
- Artists Lineup
- Gallery
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2013, WMDF 006
 New for 2013: WMDF stages run for six days instead of five, exchange token system for Sponsor Passes, MoguFes posters, first collaboration with Hotel Shalom 2, first use of Hakodate Seinen Center (Arigato Party), and web site overhauled (again!) emphasising bilingual access for all pages, mobile OS compatibility, and native incorporation of staff blog. Also, first Kids Staff (stage announcers), stop-motion cameras, projection mapping, and aerial photography. First-time participant countries: Latvia, Thailand and Turkey. Behind the scenes, we used Zoho to allow many staff to work simultaneously on the tasks of data entry and translation. This was the year we made passes a requirement to enter Motomachi Park; Eudora Stage still “open access” (no pass required). |
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- Dates:2013/8/4-11
- Audience: 30,910
- Artists: 27 groups (196 artists, 10 countries/regions)
- Artists Line-up
- Gallery
- OLT: Zahatorte (Kyyoto) + Kumonosu Quartet (Tokyo)
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2012, WMDF 005
 WMDF marked its fifth anniversary by expanding to include visual arts and adding a third stage in front of the Koukaido. Also new for 2012: one-day passes, “Kanpa samba” sponsor time, re-modeled logo, WMDF bunting, “drop in” workshops in Motomachi Park, “stars” naming system, “Outreach” program expands to include Street Cafe in Daimon and Opening Party in the Green Belt (in conjunction with Hakodate Port Festival), first collaboration with Hotel Hakodateyama, and “Arigatou Party” officially allows staff and members of the public to enjoy the final party. |
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- Dates:2012/8/4-10
- Audience: 49,970
- Artists: 25 groups (211 artists, 12 countries/regions)
- Artists Line-up
- Gallery
- OLT: Cimbaliband (Hungary)
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2011, WMDF 004
 It’s likely that any 2011 event in Japan will be viewed in the shadow of the events of March. At WMDF, we will also remember the earthquakes in Christchurch, which prevented our friends from the group “Imanuera” from following up their Opening Live Tour to be with us in August. But, we were deeply touched by the reactions of many artists to our “Open Japan” message: we still gathered representatives from 11 countries, and exceeded 30,000 audience for the first time, despite losing the final day to rain. New for 2011: the World Foods Court grows into the “Mogu Mogu Festival”, Kid’s Pass reduced price sponsor badge, live streaming online, iPad-based feedback system, success of the “Gomi Project”, and mayoral greeting. |
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- Dates:2011/8/5-10
- Audience: 32,820
- Artists: 20 groups (114 artists, 11 countries/regions)
- Artsits Line-up
- Gallery
- OLT: Imanuera (NZ/Maori)
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2010, WMDF 003
 New for 2010: second stage and World Food Court area; WMDF concept booklet; bi-annual anniversary compilation CD; WMDF recognised as an official non-profit organisation; the Kokusai Hotel gives one floor to WMDF; new Festival office; artist communal backstage area; participation in Hakodate’s Port Festival parade; new web site; a dozen staff sent to research WOMADelaide; free English classes for staff; and much more. We are looking forward to making many new friends. |
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2009, WMDF 002
 The second WMDF was yet bigger and better. Groups, audience, and staff all reported how they had enjoyed and benefited. Motomachi Park looked even more professional than the year before, and the Sponsor Pass Booklet system of supporting shops and businesses was introduced. As an official sister event to the Hakodate 150 celebrations, WMDF showed what can be achieved with a relatively modest budget, when people are put first. |
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- Dates:2009/8/7-13
- Audience:23,260
- Artists: 21 groups (319 artists, 12 countries/regions)
- Artists Line-up
- Gallery
- 2009, WMDF002 Official Guide
- OLT: “Tonfa & Taimin” (Taiwanese traditional music), “Chi Burugood & Miho” (Mongolian bato harp), and “Percussion Unites” (African drummmers).
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2008, WMDF Inaugural
 The launch of WMDF as an international event was built on the success of organising concerts in Hakodate for local and national musicians. The 2008 Hakodate summer was cold and wet, but audience reaction showed that we could compete on a world stage. WMDF is especially grateful to the groups that made this first international year a success. |
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- Dates:2008/8/20-24
- Audience:10,280
- Artists: 14 groups (190 artists, 7 countries/regions)
- Artists Line-up
- Gallery
- OLT: none
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During tenth anniversary, combined audience figure passes a third of a million. Main logo re-design. First time participant countries Mexico (MEX) and Austria (AUT). Welcome party in Kanemori Hall. Expanded catering area in Perry Hiroba. Shikishi-based feedback sent to all artists. WMDF uses first floor areas of shashinkan building in park (until 10pm each festival day).