[Meet Up ECoC! – Face to Face -] Registration now open! (Updated 10 June 2025)
European Capitals of Culture: Culture and Art Connecting People, Transforming Cities, and Shaping the Future
The European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) is one of the most well-known cultural initiatives of the European Union (EU). Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the initiative designates one to three cities each year as European Capitals of Culture. These cities host a wide array of cultural and artistic programs over the course of a year. Artists from over 100 countries, including Japan, take part, fostering cross-border co-creation. Welcoming representatives from the European Capitals of Culture for 2024–2029, the EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee proudly holds a two-day domestic event titled “Meet Up ECoC! – Face to Face –” to explore new opportunities for collaboration between Japan and Europe.
Two Days to Encounter, Learn, and Connect with the European Capitals of Culture
Program directors from the European Capitals of Culture are visiting Japan to share the latest cultural developments from their cities. While also showcasing the current state of Japanese art and culture, this event invites each participant to explore new avenues of collaboration with ECoC from multiple perspectives—art, economy, and local communities.
This event requires registration. Please visit the designated registration page on Peatix: http://meet-up-ecoc2025.peatix.com. We sincerely look forward to your participation!
[Event Details]
Dates:
Thu. 3 July 2025: 14:00 – 18:00 (Doors open at 13:00) *Reception to follow presentation
Fri. 4 July 2025: 10:00 – 16:30 (Door open at 09:15)
Venue: 3×3Lab Future (1F Otemon Tower ENEOS Bldg., 1-1-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Language: Japanese and English (Simultaneous interpretation provided)
Admission: One day ¥1,000, Two days ¥1,500 (Reception on 3 July ¥2,000)
Organizer：EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee
Co-host: Yurakucho Art Urbanism (YAU) / ECOZZERIA
[Program Overview]
Thu. 3 July [What’s Up in ECoC and Japan Now?]
A talk event exploring the latest developments in the European Capitals of Culture, which serve as “platforms for creatively transforming people, communities, and economies through culture”. The event also examines the current state of Japanese culture and society, aiming to pave the way toward future innovation through culture.
13:00 Doors Open
14:00 - Opening Remarks
Makoto TAKASHIMA – Chairperson of the 33rd EU–Japan Fest, EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee (Chairman of the Board, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)
14:20 - Guest Talks
１．”What Does ECoC Bring?”
Christina JARITSCH – Bad Ischl-Salzkammergut 2024 European Capital of Culture (Austria)
２．”The Current State of Japanese Society and Culture”
Makoto YOKOHARI – Project Professor, Organization for Interdisciplinary Research Projects, the University of Tokyo
Yukiko SHIKATA – Director of Towada Art Center, President of AICA Japan
15:55 - ECoC Presentations / 2025–2029 ECoC cities introduce their projects
2025 – Chemnitz (Germany)
2026 – Oulu (Finland), Trenčín (Slovakia)
2027 – Liepāja (Latvia), Évora (Portugal)
2028 – Budweis (Czechia), Bourges (France), Skopje (North Macedonia)
2029 – Lublin (Poland)
18:00 – Reception (Advance Registration Required)
Enjoy food from “Onimaru Shokudo” while networking and engaging with speakers and fellow participants.
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Fri. 4 July [Creative Connection!]
A day to connect artists from Japan with the European Capitals of Culture (2024–2029) in pursuit of new Japan-Europe collaborations. Matching sessions will be held in four fields: “Traditional Crafts,” “Media/Visual Arts,” “Performing Arts (Dance/Theater),” and “Art Urbanism.”
*After each session, participants can engage directly with ECoC representatives at dedicated booths within the venue. Don’t miss this opportunity!
<Main Program>
9:15 Doors Open / 10:00 Starts
10:10 - ”Traditional Crafts” Session
[Speakers]
Representatives from the ECoC
Takanori KAWAI – Managing Director, The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries
Izumi HAYASHI – Curator at the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu
11:20 - ”Media/Visual Arts” Session
[Speakers]
Representatives from the ECoC
Yasuko YUBISUI – Curator, NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC]
Hiroko KIMURA-MYOKAM – Curator, Archivist, Representative of Eizo Workshop G.K.
13:00 - ”Performing Arts(Dance/Theater)” Session
[Speakers]
Representatives from the ECoC
Eri KARATSU – Artistic Director and Executive Director of Aichi Prefectural Art Theater / Artistic Director of Dance Base Yokohama
Yukako OGURA – Program Director, ROHM Theatre Kyoto
Hiroaki UMEDA – Choreographer, Dancer, Visual Artist
14:30 - ”Art Urbanism” Session
[Speakers]
Representatives from the ECoC
Yukako ISHIKAWA – Urbanist / Co-Director, for Cities / Director, Social Green Design / watage
Taisuke KOYAMA – Photographer / Representative of TOKYO PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH