Tokyo Culture Creation Project was launched in 2011 as a networking initiative that aims to send out a message to the world about Tokyo culture and further strengthen international networks. Every year since its inception an international conference has been held in the autumn to discuss various culture-related issues. In the conferences to date we have welcomed experts in various fields from overseas, who have joined their Japanese counterparts in discussing arts and culture from a variety of perspectives.
　This year will be the fourth conference to be convened under the Tokyo Culture Creation Project and it will be held as one of a series of events to mark the 20th anniversary of Tokyo-Berlin friendship affiliation. Berlin is a city that has enjoyed great success in promoting itself as a city of cultural creativity through diverse and numerous festivals, etc., and guest panelists from Berlin will engage in discussions on the significance of festivals in cities.
　Among modern major festivals and arts events there are those that trace their origins as far back as the early 20th century and a rich variety of festivals are currently held around the world. The conference will seek to address various questions: What is the significance of holding festivals in cities today’s 21st century world? What new value can a festival create that other events cannot? What is the significance of festivals for the residents of a city? What is expected of the cultural policies and projects of local governments in the organization and support of festivals?
Guest speakers from Berlin, London, Seoul and various cities in Japan will be invited to share their opinions on the ideal relationship between festivals and cities of cultural creativity, identifying areas of common interest and also looking ahead to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.