Workshop
The Potential of Culture in Regional Revitalization:
Cases from Great Britain and Japan

Time: 26 January 2011 (Wed.), 7 - 8:30 pm
Place: Bldg. No. 12, room 303, Sophia University Yotsuya Campus, Tokyo http://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/info/access/map/map_yotsuya

Presentations:
Davyth Hicks, PhD, Eurolang
"Cultural factors in regional revitalization in Cornwall"
Susanne Klien, PhD, German Institute for Japanese Studies "Contemporary art and regional revitalization:
A Case study from Echigo-Tsumari"

Discussant: Mouri Yoshitaka, PhD, Tokyo National University of the Fine Arts Organizer and Chair: Kimura Goro Christoph, PhD, European Institute, Sophia University

This meeting aims to explore how culture can contribute to the revitalization of regions which are often perceived to be in the periphery from the viewpoint of the state. Characteristic cases from Cornwall (Great Britain) and Echigo-Tsumari (Niigata, Japan) are presented. In Cornwall in the Southwest of Great Britain, the Celtic cultural revival movement around the Cornish language has increasingly gained official recognition in recent years and has essentially contributed to promoting a new self-consciousness of the region. In Echigo-Tsumari, the Art Triennial has envisaged site specific artworks in this rural region and has attracted much attention beyond the contemporary art scene since its beginning in 2000. While the means and approaches are different, both cases have in common that they utilize cultural factors built upon local resources as part of the regional revitalization strategies. The question of power, agency and the impact of external perspectives on local views will also be discussed. A comparison of experiences will provide new insights and perspectives for regional development in other regions as well.

The presentations and discussion will be in English.
Admission is free.
In case of questions please contact Kimura Goro:
g-kimura a_t sophia.ac.jp.