日欧芸術文化の新たな宮殿を展望する『日欧宮殿芸術祭2019』が、シェーンブルン宮殿　オランジェリー（オーストリア ウィーン）で開催された。本展は、日本オーストリア友好150周年認定の交流事業であり、また日欧宮殿芸術協会によるオーストリアでの初展覧会となる。今回は、ジャンルの枠を超えて選出された日本の作品287点に、オーストリアの芸術作品33点、さらにマルタの芸術作品10点が展示された。さらに本展の開催が日墺両国の友好に重要と見做した在オーストリア日本大使館のご好意により、隣接する広報文化センターにて姉妹展「日本とオーストリア・芸術と文芸」が同時開催され、芸術祭に出展中の芸術家・文芸作家の作品が一ヶ月にわたって展示された。

会場には、連日国内外より多くの人々が来場し、日本・オーストリア・マルタの芸術作品に目を見張った。また場内では現地コーラスグループのリサイタルや芸術家たちのレクチャーが行われるなど、様々な観点から芸術を楽しむ試みが実施され、芸術交流イベントとして新たな指針が示されたと言える。

さらに5月4日に開催された記念セレモニーでは、ウィーン交響楽団メンバーによる弦楽四重奏や、書家・長岡美和子氏の揮毫など、日墺双方の素晴らしい芸術文化が随所で披露された。また、その後の懇親会では、3カ国の芸術家たちと墺日協会ディートハルト・レオポルド会長ら来賓の面々、美術関係者らによる華やかな芸術文化交流が行われた。

こうして本展は5月5日に無事終了。本展の成功を通して参加した3カ国の芸術交流が大きく深まったことがメディアでも紹介され、早くも10月には「日本ヨーロッパ交流展2019」にオーストリア芸術家の参加が確定した。さらに2020年には、マルタで「日欧宮殿芸術祭2020」が開催される運びとなっている。

The 2019 edition of “Japan Art Festival,” which seeks new palaces that capture the art and culture of Japan and Europe, was held at the Schoenbrunn Palace Orangery (Vienna, Austria). This exhibition was a cultural exchange project that marks 150 years of friendship between Japan and Austria, and it was the first exhibition held in Austria by the Japan-Europe Palace Art Association (JEPAA). A total of 287 Japanese works, 33 Austrian works, and 10 Maltese works of art were selected from various genres and showcased at this exhibition. With the generous support of the Embassy of Japan in Austria, which deemed this exhibition as a milestone in the diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria, the companion exhibition “Japan and Austria: Art and Literature” was held concurrently at the adjacent Japanese Information and Culture Center where the works of artists and writers featured at the art festival were on display for a period of one month.

Many people from Vienna and beyond visited the exhibition every day to enjoy the art of Japan, Austria, and Malta. Recitals by local chorus groups and lectures by artists were also held at the exhibition venue, while attempts were made to allow visitors to enjoy art from a variety of perspectives, giving rise to a new set of guidelines for cultural exchange events in the arts.

Moreover, the commemorative ceremony held on May 4th showcased the wonderful art and culture of Japan and Austria, including a string quartet performance by members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a calligraphy performance by the calligrapher Miwako Nagaoka. Artists from all three countries as well as Dr. Diethard Leopold, President of the Austrian-Japanese Society, were present for the post-ceremony party that followed, where lively interactions took place between the artists and other guests in the spirit of art and cultural exchange.

The exhibition came to an end on May 5th. The significant deepening of cultural ties between the three participating countries through this successful exhibition was featured by the media, and Austrian artists quickly confirmed their participation in the “Japan-Europe Cultural Exchange Exhibition 2019” in October. It was also decided that the 2020 edition of “Japan Art Festival” will be held in Malta the following year.