The Orkney Japan Mini Festival is being recognised in Parliament through a motion lodged by OJA chair and local MSP Liam McArthur. Full text below. The motion is beginning to attract cross party support, and can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament’s website here:
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-06025

Motion ref. S6M-06025
Orkney Japan Mini Festival 2022
Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Date lodged: Monday, September 26, 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.

That the Parliament welcomes the inaugural Orkney Japan Mini Festival, which is taking place from 29 September to 13 October 2022; understands that the festival has been organised by the Orkney-Japan Association (OJA) and will be centred on celebrating Japanese culture across the county with the themes of hope and world peace; commends what it sees as the wide variety of events for the enjoyment of all ages taking place as part of the festival including public talks, films and workshops, including at the world-renowned Kristin Linklater Voice Centre; understands that the festival will also feature a music performance inspired by the story of Hiroshima survivor, Sadako Sasaki, and symbol of peace by creating 1,000 paper origami cranes, which, it understands, primary schools across Orkney are also hoping to achieve as part of the festival; believes that the festival will help to further strengthen the links between Japan and Orkney which, it understands, have flourished over recent years; thanks the hard work of organisers at OJA, and wishes all those participating, a successful and enjoyable festival.

Note: a parliamentary motion is a mechanism for MSPs and parliament generally to recognise, celebrate, raise awareness of individuals, groups, campaigns, achievements etc. While some motions are marked for debate and can then be debated (though never voted on) the vast majority are lodged in order to sit on the order paper, attract cross party support and raise awareness.