The Rice Field
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial is a modern art festival, held every three years in the rural Echigo-Tsumari region of Niigata Prefecture. The 2009 triennial was held from July 26 to September 13, 2009. Smaller festivals are held in the years between the triennials.
Fascinating and entertaining art works by more than 300 artists from across the world are exhibited across the 760 square kilometer large Echigo-Tsumari region during the triennials, and more than a hundred of them remain in place between triennials, making a visit worthwhile at any time.
House Memory
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Culture bound syndrome
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Besides the art exhibits, the Echigo-Tsumari region attracts with its rural landscape of terraced rice fields, forested hills and small villages. It is a good place to see "satoyama", the traditional Japanese lifestyle of humans in harmony with nature.
However, the Echigo-Tsumari region is also dealing with grave problems, including a rapidly aging society and a dramatic depopulation, as many young people leave the region to escape the extreme winters and find better opportunities in the cities.
The landscape of Echigo-Tsumari
Furthermore, the Echigo-Tsumari region was hit badly by a strong earthquake in 2004. The Chuetsu Earthquake of October 23, 2004, killed 39 people, injured thousands and damaged many buildings. The Chuetsu Oki Earthquake of July 2007 was also felt in the region, but did not cause damage.
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial was first held in the year 2000 as part of a plan to revitalize the region. It has succeeded to attract more visitors to the region and involve the local population.
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