![Noriko Mizusaki](../images/540_14_Jp_cherryTreeNoriko_14-4-1_Japan_2240.jpg) |
Professor Noriko Mizusaki was our 23rd President of a World Congress of Poets presented by United Poets Laureate International. For further information, please visit www.upli-wcp.org. |
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![](../images/545_14_Jp_samuri_swords_14-4-1_Japan_753.jpg) |
Our first night's festivities included a samuri sword fight by locally well known entertainers. |
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![Gil Yuzon, Virgilia A. Yuzon](../images/545_14_Jp_Gil_w_Pilar_14-4-1_Japan_1544.jpg) |
Formalities included welcoming words from our new president, Virgilio (Gil) A. Yuzon, Manila, Philippines, and Pilar Yuzon, widow of our late president, Benjamin (Ben) R. Yuzon, Hercules, California. |
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![](../images/545_14_Jp_1st_look_anth_14-4-1_Japan_027.jpg) |
Everyone was excited to get their first glimps of the Congress poetry anthology, "Our Voices on the Winds, 2014" |
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![Loywanner Haddadou](../images/545_14_Jp_Loywanner_Haddadou_and_Jeffrey_Garland_w_Noriko_14-4-1_Japan_1682.jpg) |
Noriko Mizusaki introduces Loywanner Haddadou, USA, to read her original poetry with her nephew, Jeffrey Garland. |
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![Le Pham Le, Nancy Arbuthnot](../images/545_14_Jp_Le_Nancy_14-4-1_Japan_800_a.jpg) |
Le Pham Le, Viet Nam, reads with translation by Nancy Arbuthnot, Australia |
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![Rex Valentine](../images/545_14_Jp_Rex_Uk_14-4-1_Japan_634.jpg) |
Rex Valentine, USA, sang for his reading. He is well known for writing American style ballads. |
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![](../images/545_14_Jp_photoOp_14-4-1_Japan_2467.jpg) |
Under the magical arch of Wonderland, the finale for our Awards Banquet entertainment was the audience posing for photos with the Poetic Dance Theater Company. |
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![Richard Angilly](../images/545_14_Jp_RichRead_14-4-1_Japan_2362.jpg) |
Richard Angilly gave magnificent poetry readings during the Awards Banquet entertainment by the Poetic Dance Theater Company |
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![](../images/545_14_Jp_K_cherryblossoms_14-4-1_Japan_2246.jpg) |
Our tour on the last day included a walk through the magical Kyoto Palace Garden's cherry orchard. |
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![](../images/478_14_Jp_K_Rich_14-4-1_Japan_Kay_944.jpg) |
There was an occasional moment or two for quiet, poetic contemplation. |
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![Puntalee Jirathun, Noi](../images/545_14_Jp_Noi_14-4-1_Japan_968.jpg) |
Puntalee (Noi) Jirathun, Thailand, poses with blossoms. |
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