In February 2016, the European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 participated in the Annual General Meeting of one of the most important cultural institutions in Japan, the EU Japan Fest. The Organisation promotes Japanese culture, artists and cultural productions in Europe, bridging cultures between Europe and Asia.
The Organisation Pafos2017 was invited by the new EU Japan Fest Chairman – Chairman of Toyota Motors – and the Secretary General of EU Japan Fest, Mr. Shuji Kogi, to participate in the General Meeting of the EU Japan Fest and the Cultural Forum that was organised in Tokyo, with the participation of more than 500 cultural organisations, artists and Organisations of past, present and future European Capitals of Culture. The European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 was represented by the Chairman of the Pafos2017 Board of Directors, Dr. Christos Patsalides, and the Artistic Programme Director, Ms. Georgia Doetzer.
During their stay in Tokyo, the Pafos2017 representatives had the opportunity to talk about the city of Pafos and present the vision of Pafos2017 Organisation through its cultural programme. At a specially designated area for the European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 during the General Meeting and the Forum, both the Chairman and the Artistic Programme Director contacted representatives of other cultural organisations and artists. In addition, they met with the Assistant General Manager of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and discussed the possibility of a further collaboration in order to create travel packages for Japanese tourists who wish to visit Pafos in 2017 within the frame of the European Capital of Culture.
It is worth noting that the Secretary General of EU Japan Fest, Mr. Kogi, has visited Pafos four times in the past and he is currently visiting Pafos again to meet with partners for joint projects between Cypriot and Japanese artists, which are funded by the EU Japan Fest Organisation.
The EU Japan Fest Organisation is funded by the biggest Japanese heavy industries, which sponsor cultural productions and exchanges between Japanese and European artists. The EU Japan Fest Committee is comprised of people from the Japanese heavy industries, having as a Chairman Mr.Hideaki OMIYA – Chairman of Mitsubishi Heavy Insdustries, and as former Chairman, the Chairman of Toyota Motors. Within the frame of exchange and cooperation between the EU Japan Fest and the European Capitals of Culture, it is common for businessmen from Japan to visit the cities that are awarded the title of the European Capital of Culture during the year of the title.
