European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 presents itself in Japan
Network meeting of the Capitals of Culture in Tokyo
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze and Stefan Schmidtke, Managing Director of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, travelled to Tokyo today to present Chemnitz at the EU-Japan Festival.
Meetings with business representatives, dialogue with Japanese artists and the presentation of Chemnitz and its projects for the year 2025 as European Capital of Culture are planned.
The EU-Japan Festival Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1992 and funded by European governments, the Agency for Cultural Affairs and other Japanese government institutions as well as donations from Japanese companies such as Toyota, Hitachi and Mitsubishi. The companies regularly support European Capitals of Culture in the realisation of projects.
The Lord Mayor's programme includes a meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan, Dr Clemens von Goetze, as well as a network meeting of the Capitals of Culture with business representatives at Hitachi's headquarters, which will also be attended by the Chairman of the Board and new Chairman of the EU-Japan Festival Committee, Toshiaki Higashihara.
The committee's board meeting will take place at the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo with Ambassador Dr Elisabeth Bertagnoli. Chemnitz will present its programme for the coming year at a presentation and networking event with the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2022 to 2028. An invitation to a cultural exchange with the Japanese dancers will be extended during a performance of contemporary dance.
The official programme of the EU-Japan Festival Foundation includes a visit to the city of Kamakura, Japan's capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is known for its numerous, well-preserved temples and shrines. The hosts want to showcase Japan's modern side at the exhibition organised by the art and technology collective teamLab in Tokyo. The exhibition will showcase digital art and immersive installations.
After 2022 and 2023, the EU-Japan Festival Committee is due to visit Chemnitz again next year.