The
most striking feature of this building is the conference wing
with its octagonal shape, making it a landmark for the area. A
beautiful curtain wall connects this to the exhibit wing with
its large, gracefully curved roof. Designed to appear like a bird
with spread wings, it is popularly known as Big Wing.
The conference wing has a large conference hall complete with
interpreter booth for use in international events. A fellowship
salon is decorated using Yamagata Prefecture's famous flower-adorned
hats and safflowers as motifs. It is expected to play a central
role in bringing Yamagata closer in touch with the rest of the
world. Located on a spacious grounds of 100,000 m2, the Big Wing
is surrounded by Japanese gardens, an event plaza, and an international
exchange plaza with outdoor stage, making it suitable for events
of all types. A large iron pot called "nabetaro" sits
in the plaza waiting for autumn, when Yamagatans love to boil
"taro" tubers outdoors.
The official opening festivities were held for a week starting
August 8, 1994, with 300,000 citizens gathering for various events.
Prior to that the facilities were used for an international conference
on July 4, when the Aspen Conference took place, with former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter delivering the commemorative address and
getting the facilities off to an auspicious start.
