Top > Corporate Social Responsibility > Column: Setouchi International Art Festival 2010 Report
The social health of the community where you live is one element of "well-being." With this idea as a guide, Benesse Holdings has joined hands with four affiliated benevolent foundations to promote artistic activities at Benesse Art Site Naoshima and projects that have helped to revitalize the communities of islands in Japan's Seto Inland Sea centered on Teshima and Inujima. In fiscal 2010, Benesse Holdings sponsored the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010. This festival draws on the power of modern art to inject life into islands of the Seto Inland Sea, which have declining and aging populations. Featuring 75 artists and projects from 18 countries and regions, the festival spotlights the rich nature, culture and history of these islands and seeks to restore pride to them and their inhabitants. Aimed at “Restoration of the sea,” this festival attracted approximately 938,000 visitors, filling the islands with energy.
Number of Visitors to the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010 by Island
Overview of the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010
- Dates: July 19, 2010 to October 31, 2010
- Location: Seven islands in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea
(Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, and Inujima), and the Takamatsu Port Area - Setouchi International Art Festival Executive Committee
- Fukutake Foundation for the Promotion of Regional Culture, Agency for Cultural Affairs and other organizations
- Kajima Corporation, Benesse Holdings, Inc., Rexxam Co., Ltd. and other companies
*Data researched by the secretariat for the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010
The islands of the Seto Inland Sea have lost their vitality as people have shown less interest in the sea because of the negative legacy of recent times. We decided on the theme of “Restoration of the Sea” for the 2010 festival with the aim of revitalizing the Seto Inland Sea. The festival attracted a large number of visitors — three times our target in fact. I believe that the reason for this successful outcome lies in the attraction of the Seto Inland Sea and its islands. The essential value is in the sea. People feel refreshed when they cross the sea. They feel good being away from their daily routines. The sea is also the mother of life, making it an ideal place to take stock of one’s life and think about the future. Also, each island boasts a wonderful lifestyle and its own character. These aspects energize people and make them appreciate the sea. I want to build on the bonds we have forged this time to create an event that allows people to walk slowly around the islands next time we hold the festival in three years.
Mr. Fram Kitagawa
General Director of Art Setouchi 2010
