コスモスの花言葉と中越地震

中越地震で甚大な被害を受け、全村避難を余儀なくされた山古志村。その後、長岡市に編入されましたが、「長岡」と呼ぶにはどこか違和感が残ります。そんなふるさとへの思いを胸に、元村長は村へ戻り、山々と集落を一望できる場所に花畑を耕し始めました。一度は失われかけた「ふるさとの作り方」を、自らできる形で実践し続けています。人々が戻らないふるさとに新たな風景を生み出し、光を当てる―赤いコスモスの花言葉「愛情」に込めた、地域への温かな思いが感じられる活動です。

Yamakoshi Village was severely damaged by the Chuetsu Earthquake and the entire village had to be evacuated. It was later incorporated into Nagaoka City, but it still feels somewhat strange to call it “Nagaoka. With such feelings for his hometown in mind, the former mayor returned to the village and began cultivating a flower field in a location overlooking the mountains and the village. He continues to practice “how to make a hometown,” which was once almost lost, in a way that he is able to do. The red cosmos flower, which means “love” in the language of flowers, is a reminder of the warmth of his love for his community.

EOS5DMarkⅢ 24mm 1/60秒　f:11

©️photo by Nakamura Osamu