(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 11th 2009, morning paper)

This is the first time for Oita Prefecture to hold a large-sized international art festival "Beppu Contemporary Art Festival 2009 -Mixed Bathing World-" which officially starts in Beppu from today, April 11th. Last night, April 10th night, there was an opening reception in a hotel in Beppu City.

There were approximately 200 people attending the reception. The head of the committee, Professor Fukutani Masanobu fom Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University greeted the audience "It was because of the cooperation from many people, we are able to be here tonight, to celebrate our dream to create a lot of new things. I hope that many people will stay here for a while." Hirose Katsusada Governor, HAMADA Hiroshi Beppu City Mayor gave speeches to greet the audience, and after "Kanpai" (Japanese's "Cheers!") was done, SERIZAWA Takashi Director explained the outline of the festival, then introduced 6 international artists who would take part in this festival, like Sarkis from France.

The festival is planned to continue until June 14th, within the period of two months. On the first day, from 10am there were displays of international artists' masterpieces in various places in the city. The display was actually the main program "Art Gate Cruise" which was opened to public for free. The map showing the places of attraction could be found in the Information Centre at Beppu Eki Mae Doori. In the afternoon, from 2 o'clock Memorial Symposium was held at Beppu International Tourist Center, which was called "The Gate to the Art that Exists in the City-Welcoming Artists to Art Gate Cruise", and the entrance was also free.

Generally the price of passport, which was the ticket for the cruise (usable for 2 full days), is 1800 Yen, but for students the price is 1500 Yen. The free pass that can be used during the period of 2 months of the festival as many times as you want costs 3400 Yen. For Junior High School students and below, the passport is free. Especially in weekends, it is necessary to purchase the passport to attend the contemporary music and dance performances like "Beppu Dance" and "Beppu Music" programs. For further information or inquire, contact the executive committee office at 0977-22-3560.

Comment: This is the first time for Beppu City, our beloved small city, to hold such a large-sized art festival, inviting artists from outside the prefecture and even from other countries as well. I think the way the set the price for passport is good, the free pass for two months is more appealing than the two-days pass, as it is much cheaper to buy the two-months pass. In a way, it encourages people to spend more time in Beppu and stay longer, which is actually one of the main purposes of this festival, as one of the efforts to revitalize Beppu.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3