Thank you very much for coming to the 4th Annual Sparrow Needlework Exhibition. First of all, we would like to thank everyone who came. Last year’s third exhibition was held by the former Cosmos Group, and this time it is by the former Cattleya Group. With the beginning of the new coronavirus vortex, our daily lives have been forced to undergo major changes. Our handicraft classes were no exception and were severely damaged. Even so, we were able to continue our classes as if driven by the voices of those who wanted to continue, and despite the burden placed on everyone in the class, we were able to reach another goal. I am glad that I can quilt at a time like this.” Without quilting, I would have been depressed.” Such voices and smiles have brought me to this point. On a personal note, I have been venturing into the unknown world since last year. In my hometown of Kainan City, there is a facility called “General Nursing Support Center Genki. Last spring, I was appointed as a board member of the Medical Co-op and invited to the world of nursing care, which was a completely unknown field. Within Wakayama Chuo Medical Co-op, our Kainan-Kaiso branch is well known throughout the prefecture for its active activities and achievements. As the name implies, the branch is full of smiling people who are connected by the motto “Genki de Genki” (“Be healthy and energetic”). Our classrooms have also been able to survive the new coronavirus vortex without forgetting to “just have fun and smile”. What we learn at Genki can be reflected in our courses. If you look at the reality and nature of what is happening in society today, times are really tough. We are facing a society that is heading in the exact opposite direction from the path we should have been heading because of the pandemic that hit us. The world and our country have progressed to a very dangerous point. I feel that we are approaching the dangerous territory that Kenzaburo Oe and Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away, warned us about. A 93-year-old friend of mine, whom I met through the activities of a medical cooperative, said to me, “Let’s grow rice. As long as we have rice, we can get by. That is what he says to me. He must feel a great sense of crisis in the present age because he is of the generation that knew the war. And I think, “It is precisely because we are in such a time as this. We are all burdened with many painful and sad faces. That is why we cherish the beautiful and joyful things. Don’t escape reality, don’t fall into only lamenting, and don’t forget what is important. If there are people who spread contempt and hatred, like the former president of the United States who is finally being judged, we should remember to smile and tell the world what we think is beautiful. We should ask the world what we think is beautiful and what we think is lovely. This will ultimately become the power to reach the essence of the hearts of those who seek peace. It is important to steadily promote what must not be lost or taken away from us. The works lined up in this exhibition hall are filled with things stitched with dreams of this day, never giving up, no matter what. Handicrafts are only possible when there is peace. It is precisely because of times like these. Hopefully, we will never return to that crazy era. As a handicraft instructor and quilt designer, I would like to be a person who appeals for peace.