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Before there were letters and words, people expressed their thoughts and desires using shapes and patterns, and their hearts were devoted to praying. Looking at the work of artists who are active internationally, it is clear that there is not only language now, but also a continued exchange of those hearts and minds. Nowadays, when words seem to lie, and trust seems to be won only by contract, have human hearts become richer? How can we soften the muscles of the heart with imagination, affinity, and empathy so that people's efforts to pique their sensibilities can be rewarded and become part of a larger culture?    

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Last year, TOMORROW FIELD held ECHO, whose theme was prayer that transcends boundaries through the power of food and art. The result was a month of events that brought smiles to children's faces and encouraged playful interactions with others and generated deep thoughts about the present and future in the minds of high school students.   ​ ​

Certainly, food and art play an important role in early adulthood, and considering that the existence of communities that nurture them forms municipalities, whether remote or urban, for all citizens residing in Japan and visitors from abroad, not only the scenery and historical sites, but also the people living in the present are the memories, records, and experiences of the land. In recognizing that food and art play a role in connecting nature and the history of the land—which is not something that schools can do alone—we will realize a program based on food, art, architecture, and crafts in 2023 that will be an opportunity for people to visit the area and give thought to the young people living today and in the future. Unlike a single event, the official activities of this program will continue for five years and are intended to grow into a sustainable art project that becomes an integral part of the local community and the world at large.    

We want to challenge ourselves to become a place for friendly competition between international artists practicing today and the next generation of creators, with the goal of having their collaborative efforts be moving and generate a value that transcends cultures and customs and that can be transmitted through the symbols of each language. ​ ​

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