With words of strength and the profound significance of a united, open Europe, Her Excellency, Ambassador Petra Sigmund, inaugurated the handover ceremony of the EU-Japan Fest Committee chairmanship to Makoto Takashima. Thus began the 33rd year of this esteemed organization’s activity.
Diplomatic representatives, key figures from Japanese culture and business, as well as delegates from selected European Capitals of Culture and the Selection Panel, gathered at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tokyo. With its presence at this prestigious event, Lublin 2029 officially commenced its collaboration with the organization.
The ceremony showcased the first outcomes of EU-Japan Fest’s partnership with Chemnitz 2025 (Germany) and Nova Gorica 2025 (Slovenia). Representatives of Bad Ischl, Bodø, and Tartu—cities that held the European Capital of Culture title in 2024—delivered comprehensive reports on their collaboration with the organization. Jiro Kogi, Deputy Secretary General of the EU-Japan Fest Committee, outlined the organization’s strategic plans for the coming years.
Adding to the grandeur of the evening, Alexander Gadjiev—hailing from Nova Gorica and the distinguished Second Prize winner of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition—delighted guests with a performance. Earlier in the day, we also visited partners at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and Yurakucho Art Urbanism. The event carried a moment of solemn remembrance, honoring the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.
For over 30 years, EU-Japan Fest has been forging connections between Europe and Asia through hundreds of projects realized in collaboration with the European Capitals of Culture.
