The number of visitors to performances at three halls in Hyogo Performing Arts Center (HPAC): Grand Hall, Theater and Recital Hall, hit one million on Sunday, 17 Nov. The Center was established by Hyogo Prefecture on Saturday, 22 Oct. 2005 as a symbol of the reconstruction from the devastation of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and as a base for artistic creation and performances.

On Saturday, 17 Nov. 2007, about a month after the second anniversary in October, the Center welcomed the millionth visitor Aki Nakamura, 34, violinist, from Kyoto with her husband. They came for “Kremer & Zimerman Super Duo Recital” held in Grand Hall. The celebration started at 5:20pm in the Grand Hall foyer with the attendance of the Nakamuras, Vice President Masanori Nishino and Artistic Director Yutaka Sado, who is a world-famous conductor. Nakamura received a bouquet and a commemorative pair of watches with musical instruments design, handed by Director Sado.

Sado said, “I am amazed that such a number of people visited the Center by far the sooner than I’ve expected. I’d like to supply ‘mental vitamin’ for more people with various programs.” Vice President Nishino also expressed his gratitude in the greetings, “We received an audience of one million in just about 300 days, following the record of 500 thousand visitors in 450 days after its opening. This owes it to all of you welcoming Performing Arts Centre as home for promotion of art and culture. We are pleased to have much more visitors in the future.” Ms Nakamura, who came to the Center for the first time, said with delight, “I am impressed with its wonderful facilities with comfortable lighting and design.”