Changsha, Hunan (China), Kyoto, Kyoto (Japan), and Daegu (Korea) conducted various exchange events in the year 2017 as the CCEA. At the closing ceremony of 2017 CCEA held in Tokyo on the 19th of November 2017, mayors of the three cities signed the CCEA 2017 Kyoto Joint Declaration. The outline of the Declaration is:
1. Maintain continued cultural exchange between the younger generations of the three regions, such as exchanges among students majoring in arts.
2. Create opportunities of cultural exchange activities in the private sector such as companies, universities, local citizens, and cultural arts groups so as to establish future-oriented relations, and of increasing attractiveness of each city
3. Strive to promote wide-ranging exchanges among the three cities, to carry out sustainable city development, and to contribute to the peaceful development of East Asia.
(Source: Yokohama)
Based on the above declaration, follow-up programs conducted after 2018 fall into either of two categories: Youth Exchange (mutual visits/exchanges among students majoring in arts), and Cultural Exchange (Participating in partner city’s cultural events). A distinct feature of the follow-up programs is a large share of youth exchange is comprised of exchanges among students majoring in arts, since the programs are follow-up programs of CCEA.
In addition, Daegu and Changsha signed a Friendship agreement in July 2018, based on CCEA exchanges
- August 2018: Youth Exchange Program between Kyoto and Daegu
- Based on the Kyoto Joint Declaration, several youth exchange programs were held in Kyoto and Daegu.
Exchange Program Held in Kyoto
From August 10 to 13, university students that study cultural arts in Kyoto and Daegu exchanged views on the common aspects and diversity of Japanese and Korean culture, created manga together and presented the outcomes during group workshop sessions and during field trips on life culture and traditional industry.
Total of eight students from Kyoto (Kyoto City University of Arts, Kyoto University of Arts & Design, Kyoto Arts and Crafts University, and Kyoto Student PR Ambassador) and six students from Daegu (Kyungpook National University and Catholic University of Daegu) participated in the program.
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(Source: Kyoto City)
Exchange Program Held in Daegu
Vocal music majors from Kyoto and Daegu convened in Daegu to participate in an exchange program. The group visited Daegu’s cultural institutions, observed a vocal competition’s final round, participated in a seminar, and performed at the 2018 Bojagi Festival. Eight students from undergraduate departments of music of Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Kyoto, and nine students from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University participated in the program.
- August 2018: Changsha and Kyoto Participated in the 2018 East Asia Bojagi Festival in Daegu
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Changsha and Kyoto participated in the 2018 East Asia Bojagi Festival held on August 31 to September 2 in Daegu, after having participated in it the year before. Bojagi Festival began in 2017 when the city was selected as the CCEA, with the idea that bojagi (traditional square shaped textile used for wrapping and carrying items) encompasses capaciousness and diversity; it aims to become one of the most prominent East Asian cultural festivals.
The festival also saw the Youth Entertainment Festival, a street performance of music, dance, and arts by CJK young artists. Modern dancers from Kyoto were dispatched to the festival. At the CJK Traditional Music Joint Performance, musicians that play traditional instruments from the three cities performed traditional music. In addition, the Bojagi Artwork/Interactive Exhibition displayed traditional craftworks from the three countries and held interactive workshops for local residents. Changsha and Kyoto dispatched cultural craftwork masters to this event.
A PR booth was also set up by the past Korean CCEA. Gwangju (2014) promoted their tourist spots through VR experience, Cheongju (2015) held a chopsticks and tools making program, related to their Chopstick Festival, and Jeju Special SelfGoverning (2016) held a traditional textile dyeing experience program.
- November 2018: Daegu Participated in Kyoto’s “kokoka (International Exchange Hall) Opening Day 2018 / Kyoto Prayer for Peace Project”
- Around 40,000 foreign nationals (around 3% of the total population of the city) reside in Kyoto, providing local residents plenty of opportunities to interact with foreigners. On November 3, kokoka Opening Day 2018 / Kyoto Prayer for Peace Project was held at Kyoto International Exchange Hall (kokoka), the purpose of which was to increase understanding of foreign culture and to emphasize the value of peace by allowing people to enjoy different cultures and interact with people from different countries and regions. The Kyoto Prayer for Peace Project collaborated with CCEA Exchange programs, inviting CJK artists including Korean traditional music orchestra from Daegu.
- March 2019: Changsha and Daegu Participated in the “KYOTO STEAM” CJK Stage
- From March 23 to 24, Kyoto held KYOTO STEAM – World Culture Exchange Festival – prologue, and the CJK Stage program to continue the exchange among the CCEA and to contribute to the peaceful development of East Asia with the power of culture. Changsha performed classical music, Kyoto’s performance consisted of break dancing, miming, and magic, and Daegu performed traditional music, modern dance, and a musical gala.
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Performance of Artists from Changsha (Left) and Performance of Artists from Daegu (Right)
(Source: Kyoto City)
Since July 2019: East Asia Youth and Cultural Exchange and Follow-up Mutual Participation in Festivals Continue
〈Youth Exchange〉
Kyoto (August 7 – 11)
Nine university students each from Kyoto and Daegu majoring in arts (design and photography) participated in exchange programs such as fieldwork, cultural experience, and presentations..
Daegu (November 8 - 11)
Nine students each majoring in the flute in music colleges in Kyoto and Daegu participated in exchange programs and also performed as a flute ensemble at the ‘2019 East Asia Bojagi Festival’.
〈Cultural Exchange〉
Kyoto (November 3)
Daegu sent 10 members of its art group to CJK cultural performance at kokoka Opening Day
Daegu (November 9-10)
Various CJK cultural performances took place at the 2019 East Asia Bojagi Festival (dance and Bian Lian performance by Changsha City Dance Company, Hyangbalmu by Daegu City Traditional Music Group, Daisuke Street Circus by Kyoto). Other activities such as an exhibition of CJK homes, culture experience booth, and a CJK food market were present as well.
2019 East Asia Bojagi Festival Experience Booth for Making Traditional Accessory ‘Jie’(China)
2019 East Asia Bojagi Festival Experience Booth for Fabric Making (Japan)
2019 East Asia Bojagi Festival Experience Booth for Natural Dyeing with Red Clay (Korea)
(Source: Daegu Metropolitan City)
- November 2021: Daegu Hosts the Storytelling Festival of East Asia 2021
- Daegu held the Storytelling Festival of East Asia 2021 in an online/offline hybrid format from November 26th to 27th to continue the cultural exchanges and cooperation among the 2017 CCEA. Under the theme of “Story of Three Kingdoms, People’s Books,” the festival held various cultural exchange activities such as lectures, story-telling of the three countries’ myths, screenings of dance performances based on classic literature, and meetings with authors from the three countries.
Storytelling Festival of East Asia 2021 Festival Poster (Source: Daegu Metropolitan City)
Three Kingdoms People Book Story Concert from the Storytelling Festival of East Asia 2021 (Source: Daegu Metropolitan City)
