Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture with Galway Chamber of Commerce were pleased to host a small networking event this week in honour of Mr. Shuji Kogi, Secretary General, EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee. The reception was to celebrate the legacy relationship between EU Japan Fest and Galway, as a former European Capital of Culture.
Speaking via video link from Japan, Paul Kavanagh, Irish Ambassador to Japan said, “Exchanges like these are crucial to building wider relations between our two countries, especially at a time where Ireland is increasing its engagement with the entire Asia region.
Illustrative of the continuous development of Ireland/ Japan ties is the approaching construction by our own Government of a new, Ireland House in Tokyo. Due to open in early 2024 in Yotsuya, Ireland House will be a showcase, state-of-the-art platform for promoting all that dynamic, innovative, digital and cultural Ireland has to offer Japan in the years and decades to come.
2024 is close enough in time for Ireland House to host further manifestations, in Tokyo, of the Galway 2020 Legacy Programme, with support from EU Japan Fest”.
The Galway 2020 Legacy Programme is steered by Marilyn Gaughan Reddan, speaking at the networking event she said, “ The Chairman’s visit is very significant in terms of Irish/Japan Relations and potential business relations with Galway. EU Japan Fest has committed to receiving applications from Galway Cultural organisations for the next number of years and this in its self is an important legacy for culture in Galway”.
Even though Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture officially ended on 30 April, it has demonstrated resilience and creativity in the face of the most challenging circumstances. It was one of the most significant cultural projects of scale to be presented worldwide during the pandemic: Over 500 events across multiple genres were delivered live and online; Over 600 artists were supported in the making and creation of new work and a large digital archive of remarkable art was created; Over 31 local cultural partners were supported during the pandemic, thus sustaining jobs in our local cultural economy. An independent monitoring and evaluation report on the overall programme will be available later this year.
Recent Galway 2020 supported events include Mirror Pavilion by Galway International Arts Festival, Gilgamesh by Macnas and the remounting of Sruth Na Teanga by Branar Theatre as part of this year’s GIAF.
