UTORO
ART FESTIVAL
2025

The Utoro Art Festival 2025 in Kyoto highlights Utoro Village and Zainichi Koreans' resilient spirit — a community that navigated hardship to foster coexistence. Through contemporary art, it explores 'migration,' 'habitation,' and 'coexistence,' sharing this profound narrative with global audiences.

ウトロ・アート
フェスティバル
2025

京都で開催される「ウトロ・アートフェスティバル2025」は、ウトロを題材に、在日コリアンの強い精神と、困難を乗り越えて共生を育んできたコミュニティの物語に焦点を当てます。 現代アートを通じて「移動」「暮らし」「共生」をテーマに、この奥深い物語を世界中の観客と分かち合います。
About

The inaugural Utoro Art Festival (UAF2025), a celebration of contemporary art, kicks off on October 10, 2025, and runs until November 10, 2025. This month-long event will span multiple venues across Kyoto City and Uji City, Japan, offering a rich array of exhibitions, performances, lectures, film screening, and symposium. UAF2025 aims to transform the city into a vibrant and meaningful artistic hub, centered around the compelling themes of migration, habitation, and hope. We'll specifically explore how the global phenomenon of migration has shaped our past and will continue to redefine our future. We eagerly anticipate this journey.

about image
Information
Venue Utoro Peace Memorial Museum
The Utoro Peace Memorial Museum in Uji, Kyoto, honors the lives and struggles of Zainichi Korean structurally mobilized during Japanese occupation. It conveys messages of peace and human rights through the history of residents who defended their hometown, Utoro amidst discrimination and hardship.
Date
  1. Opening
    October 10, 2025 I 18:20
  2. Opening Performance
    October 10, 2025 I 18:30
  3. Madangguk UTORO
    October 10, 2025 I 19:00-20:00
  4. Exhibition
    October 10-November 10, 2025
  5. Public Lecture
    October 19, 2025 I 17:00-18:30
Venue Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa
The Goethe-Institut is the globally active cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany.Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa in Kyoto offers 3-month residencies for German and European artists to create in Japan. It fosters project realization, new ideas, inspiration, and lasting ties with Japan's cultural scene. Villa Kamogawa is the Goethe-Institut's first artist residency and has been open since 2011, to mark the 150th anniversary of German-Japanese relations.
Date
  1. Opening Lecture-Performance
    October 10, 2025 I 14:00
  2. Exhibition
    October 10-November 10, 2025
  3. Film Screening
    October 18, 2025 I 18:00-20:00
Venue Doshisha University
Doshisha University founded in 1875 by J.H. Neesima, embodies an "education of conscience." It fosters individuals valuing freedom, human rights, and global awareness. Its Imadegawa Campus, with Meiji-era architecture and YUN Dong-ju monuments, symbolizes a rich legacy of cultural exchange that defines Doshisha today.
Date
  1. Floral Tribute at Yun Dong-ju Monument
    Next to Fusokan
    October 11, 2025 I 14:00-14:30
  2. Grand Performance : ‘결 Gyeol’- connected hearts
    Kanbaikan Hardy Hall
    October 11, 2025 I 15:00-18:00
  3. Exhibitions
    3-1. Kanbaikan Gallery
    October 11-October 22, 2025
    3-2. West wall of Fusokan
    October 10-November 10, 2025
  4. International Symposium : Worlds Seen from Utoro
    Ryoshinkan RY107
    November 10, 2025 I 14:00-17:30

Program
Utoro Peace Memorial Museum
Opening
October 10, 2025 01. Opening I 18:20
02. Opening performance / HA Jhonnam (Z/KR)* I 18:30
03. Open Air Theater Madangguk ‘UTORO’ / Dal_O_Reum I 19:00-20:00 Madangguk poster
Exhibition
October 10 - November 10, 2025
01. HA Jhonnam (Z/KR)*
02. ikkibawiKrrr (KR)
03. Activist Art for Life & Peace (KR)
04. OKIDO Mio (JP/DE)
Public Lecture
October 19, 2025 I 17:00-18:30 01. KIDO Eiichi (Osaka Univ.) I ‘Si vis pacem, para pacem’ (If you want peace, prepare for peace)
The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote in 1886 “With individuals madness is something rare - but with groups, parties, peoples, and ages it's the rule” (Beyond Good and Evil). And now according to the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, our world is becoming like a mental hospital where the most severely insane man takes control and pretends to be a doctor (The Hankyoreh, July 7th, 2025). Where is the world, and Japan, heading? When powerful political moguls who are seriously lacking in intelligence and morality try to push through their own interests and agendas, the world gets covered in brutal violence. Despite its pacifist constitution, Japan is plagued by the disease of militarism. The location of this Utoro Peace Memorial Museum is emblematic of this.It is providing clues for us to come to our senses and break free from the cycle of (war and non-war) violence that Mrs. Han Kang was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year.
Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa
Opening
October 10, 2025 I 14:00 01. Lecture-performance ‘Entrusted Memories’

LIM Jee-Ae (KR/DE) (Choreography-Concept, Performer)
CHO Hyemi (Z/KR)* (Performer)
Exhibition
October 10 - November 10, 2025
01. LIM Jee-Ae (KR/DE)
02. OKIDO Mio (JP/DE)
03. Linda HAVENSTEIN (DE)
04. TERUYA Yuken (JP/DE)
05. FUJII Hikaru (JP)
06. Nika OBLAK & Primož NOVAK (SI)
07. Alexander STEIG (DE)
Film Screening
October 18, 2025 I 17:00 Tilman KÖNIG I Tilman KÖNIG & Daniel KREMERS,‘Sour Strawberries’, HVX200a, 60min, 2008
Doshisha University
Floral Tribute at Yun Dong-ju Monument
October 11, 2025 I 14:00-14:30 I Next to Fusokan
Exhibition
01. October 11 - October 22, 2025 I Kanbaikan Gallery
KI Seulki(KR)
CHOI Jimok(KR)
02. October 10 - November 10, 2025 I West wall of Fusokan Activist Art for Life & Peace(KR) ‘Bloom! Dandelion’, Minjung Art hanging banner(걸개그림)
Grand Performances ‘결 Gyeol’ ㅡ connected hearts
October 11, 2025 I 15:00-18:00 I Kanbaikan Hardy Hall Kyoto Korean Junior High-High School, Utoro Nongak Troupe, Kyoto Choson
Kamudan, COLEGIO SANTANA, Kyoto Meitoku High School, Mayumi Kawaguchi,
Art Unit KOREA x JAPAN, KIM Won Joong, MMM, KIM Hak Kwon

Gyeol Poster Gyeol Poster
* Ticket reservation: UAF2025 ‘결 Gyeol’ Ticket Application
International Symposium ‘Worlds Seen from Utoro’
November 2, 2025 I 14:00-17:30 I Ryoshinkan RY107 ㅡ Hosted by: Kyoto Consortium for Korean Studies
ㅡ Organized by: Doshisha Center for Korean Studies NAKAMURA Ilsong (Journalist), KU Ryang Ok (Lawyer), SOHN KATADA Aki (Ritsumeikan Univ.), MORI Chikako (Doshisha Univ) (Z/KR)* refers to the identity of Zainichi Koreans.
Access
Utoro Peace Memorial Museum
1. Utoro Peace Memorial Museum
Open in Google Map
Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa
2. Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa
Open in Google Map
Doshisha University
3. Doshisha University
Open in Google Map
Kansai International Airport 関西国際空港 (KIX) → Kyoto Station 京都駅 1. Airport Limousine(85-120min) : 2,800 yen
ㅡ Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 (Platform 2)
ㅡ Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 (Platform 8)
ㅡ Airport Limousine Pre-order : kkday  klook

2. JR Haruka Express Train はるか :  3,590 yen
ㅡ Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 (2nd floor)
ㅡ Haruka Pre-order : kkday  klook
Kyoto Station 京都駅 → Utoro Peace Memorial Museum ウトロ平和祈念館 1. Kyoto Station Kintetsu Kyoto Line  京都駅 近鉄京都線 : 360yen
ㅡ (All stops) bound for Yamato-Saidaiji (各停)大和西大寺行 →
Iseda Station 伊勢田駅 (24min.) ㅡ 13 min. walk from West Exit (1.0km)
Kyoto Station 京都駅 → Doshisha University  同志社大学 1. Kyoto Station Karasuma Line 京都駅 烏丸線 : 260yen
ㅡ Kyoto Station, Platform2 (All stops) 京都駅  2番ホーム(各停) →
Imadegawa Station 今出川駅 (10 min.) ㅡ 2 min. walk from Exit 3 (140m)
Kyoto Station 京都駅 → Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa ゲーテ∙インスティトゥート∙ヴィラ鴨川 1. Kyoto Station City Bus 205 京都駅前 市バス 205 : 230yen
ㅡ A2 platform, bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Shimogamo Shrine・
Kitaoji Bus Terminal 四条河原町・下鴨神社・北大路バスターミナル 方面
→ Kojinguchi 荒神口 (21min) ㅡ 8 min walk (550m)

2. Kyoto Station City Bus 4 京都駅前 市バス 4 : 230yen
ㅡ A2 platform, bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Kamigamo Shrine・Nishigamo
Garage 四条河原町・上賀茂神社・西賀茂車庫 方面 → Kojinguchi 荒神口
(21min) ㅡ 8 min walk (550m)

3. Kyoto Station City Bus 7 京都駅前 市バス 7 : 230yen
ㅡ A2 platform, bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Ginkakuji Temple 四条河原町・
銀閣寺 方面 → Kojinguchi 荒神口 (22min) ㅡ 8 min. walk (550m)

4. Kyoto Station Karasuma Line 京都駅 烏丸線 : 280yen
ㅡ Kyoto Station, Platform2 (All stops) 京都駅  2番ホーム(各停) →
Marutamachi Station 丸太町駅 (7min.) ㅡ 25 min. walk from Exit 1 (1.8 km)

5. Shichijo Station Keihan Main Line 七条駅 京阪本線 : 260yen
ㅡ Shichijo Station, Platform 1 七条駅 1番ホーム (Semi-express) bound for
Demachiyanagi (準急)出町柳行 → Marutamachi Station 神宮丸太町駅 (11 min.)
ㅡ 10 min. walk from Exit 5 (650m)
Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa ゲーテ∙インスティトゥート∙ヴィラ鴨川
→ Utoro Peace Memorial Museum ウトロ平和祈念館
1. Demachiyanagi Station Keihan Main Line 出町柳駅 京阪本線 : 640yen
* 14 min. walk from Villa Kamogawa to Demachiyanagi Station (900m)
ㅡ (Limited Express) bound for Yodoyabashi (特急)淀屋橋行 → Tanbabashi
Station Keihan Main Line 丹波橋駅 京阪本線 (14min) ⇒⇒ Tanbabashi Station
Kintetsu Kyoto Line  丹波橋駅 近鉄京都線 : (All stops) bound for Shintanabe
(各停)新田辺行 → Iseda Station 伊勢田駅 (24min) ㅡ 13 min walk from West Exit
(1.0km)

2. Kojinguchi City Bus 7 荒神口 市バス 7 : 590yen
* 9 min. walk from Villa Kamogawa to the bus stop (550 m)
ㅡ Bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Kyoto Station 四条河原町・京都駅行 → Kyoto
Station 京都駅 (9min) ⇒⇒ Kyoto Station Kintetsu Kyoto Line  京都駅 近鉄京都線
: (All stops) bound for Yamato-Saidaiji (各停)大和西大寺行 →  Iseda Station
伊勢田駅 (10min) ㅡ 13 min walk from West Exit (1.0km)

3. Kojinguchi City Bus 205 荒神口  市バス 205 : 590yen
* 9 min. walk from Villa Kamogawa to the bus stop (550 m)
ㅡ Bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Kyoto Station 四条河原町・京都駅行 →
Kujō_shakomae 九条車庫前 (30min) ⇒⇒ Toji Station, Platform 1 Kintetsu Kyoto
Line  東寺駅 1 番ホーム 近鉄京都線 : (All stops) bound for Yamato-Saidaiji (各停)
大和西大寺行 → Iseda Station 伊勢田駅 (10min) ㅡ 13 min walk from West Exit
(1.0km)
* ⇒⇒ Transfer
Doshisha University 同志社大学 → Utoro Peace Memorial Museum ウトロ平和祈念館 1. Imadegawa Station Karasuma Line 今出川駅 烏丸線 : 590yen
ㅡ (All stops) bound for Shintanabe (各停)新田辺行  → Iseda Station 伊勢田駅 (30 min.)
ㅡ 13 min. walk from West Exit (1.0km)
Doshisha University 同志社大学 → Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa ゲーテ∙インスティトゥート∙ヴィラ鴨川 1. Karasuma Imadegawa(Imadegawa Subway Station) Kojinguchi City Bus 201 烏丸今出川 市バス 201 : 230yen
ㅡ Bound for Karasuma Imadegawa・Hyakumanben・Gion 烏丸今出川・
百万遍・祇園行 → Kyōdai seimonzen (Kyoto University Main Gate) 京大正
門前 (10min) ㅡ 9 min. walk from the bus stop (700m)

2. Karasuma Imadegawa(Imadegawa Subway Station) Kojinguchi City Bus 59 烏丸今出川 市バス 59 : 230yen
ㅡ Bound for Shijo Kawaramachi・Sanjo Keihan 四条河原町・三条京阪行 →
Kojinguchi 荒神口 (7 min.) ㅡ 8 min. walk from the bus stop (550m)

3. 3. Karasuma Imadegawa(Imadegawa Subway Station) Kojinguchi City Bus 203 烏丸今出川 市バス 203 : 230yen
ㅡ Bound for Demachiyanagi Station・Ginkakuji Temple・Kinrin Depot
烏丸今出川・百万遍・祇園行 → Demachiyanagi ekimae 出町柳駅前 (6 min.)
ㅡ 12 min. walk from the bus stop (900m)

4. 25 min. walk (1.8 km) from Imadegawa campus

Code of Conduct
*Internal Gender Guidelines
Utoro Art Festival 2025 seeks to overcome discrimination against social minorities and aims to build solidarity and coexistence for the future.
To foster mutual respect among all participants, we propose the following Code of Conduct and Checklist.
Preventive Guidelines
01. We do not engage in discriminatory or exclusionary language or behavior based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, appearance, sexual orientation, disability, cultural background, language, religion, or migration status.
02. We use respectful language toward one another.
03. We aim to challenge and change hierarchical
cultures based on fixed gender roles, age, or status.
04. We acknowledge that comments about someone’s body or appearance—even when intended as compliments—can be perceived as evaluative. Participants have the right to express discomfort and request the immediate cessation of sexually humiliating or sexist jokes.
05. We do not ask intrusive questions about others’ private matters, particularly regarding sexuality, romantic relationships, family, health, or religion.
06. We avoid unnecessary physical contact. If any contact causes discomfort, we will immediately stop and offer a sincere apology.
07. We must obtain explicit consent before taking or sharing photographs or videos of others.
Guidelines for Responding to Incidents
08. In cases where sexual harassment or assault is suspected, both victims and witnesses are encouraged to speak up and seek help immediately.
09. Anyone accused of sexual misconduct must stop the behavior immediately and offer an apology without making excuses.
10. When UAF2025 receives a report of sexual violence, we will listen with care regardless of the content and provide the victim with necessary information and support. (Reports can be submitted in writing, by phone, electronically, or in person.)
UAF2025 Response Protocol
11. UAF2025 will make every effort to protect the confidentiality and safety of victims and witnesses. No identifying information will be disclosed without the consent of the victim or their representative.
12. Upon receiving a report, the victim and accused will be promptly separated.
13. In accordance with the procedures of the UAF2025 Executive Committee, we will take disciplinary action against the perpetrator without delay.
14. The checklist will be regularly shared and reviewed to ensure the Code of Conduct is upheld at all times.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Please reflect on your past actions during creative collaborations. Check any items that apply.

  1. I have made comments evaluating a collaborator’s appearance or body during the creative process.
  2. I have engaged in unwanted physical contact such as touching, hugging, or patting someone on the back.
  3. I have asked fellow artists personal questions unrelated to our work—such as about their relationships, marital status, or plans to have children.
  4. I have laughed along with others at sexually inappropriate jokes.
  5. I have used informal or disrespectful language (e.g., addressing someone without prior agreement) with fellow collaborators during the creative process.
  6. I have taken photos or videos of collaborators without their prior consent and shared them with others.
  7. I believe that victims who do not speak up about sexual violence immediately also bear some responsibility.
  8. I believe that for the sake of creating a good work, one should endure sexual harassment or violence.
  9. I believe that in order to resolve a situation involving sexual violence, the victim must accept an apology from the perpetrator.
  10. I have strongly pressured someone to attend afterparties or group gatherings.
  11. I have pressured others to drink alcohol, perform songs or dances, or showcase personal talents against their will.
*Support Contacts
Japan ㅡ The Sexual Crimes Victim Consultation Call: #8103 (Heart-san)
ㅡ The Kyoto-city Arts and Culture Counseling Office (KACCO)
TEL: +81-75-252-2162 / +81-570-090911(Human Rights Hotline)
Korea ㅡ Women’s Emergency Hotline: +82-1366
ㅡ Korea Artists Welfare Foundation (KAWF)
TEL: +82-2-3668-0266 I Email: withu@kawf.kr
Reporting unfair practices / fact-finding and legal support
TEL: +82-2-3668-0200 I Email: sinmungo@kawf.kr


Organization
Organized by
Utoro Art Festival 2025 Executive Committee
In collaboration with
ㅡ Utoro Peace Memorial Museum
ㅡ Kyoto Consortium for Korean Studies
ㅡ Doshiha Center for Korean Studies
Staff
Curatorial Team Artistic Director: YOO Jae-Hyun
Head of Curatorial: CHUNG Hyun Joo
Curator(Contemporary Art): NAM Sang Hwa
Curator(Performing Arts): KIM Myosu
Curator(Contemporary Art): Cornelia OßWALD-HOFFMANN

Design SHIM Hangbok
PARK Garam
SAGONG Miyeong

Board member KIM Suhwan
Rebecca JENNISON
Steffi RICHTER
YOO Jae-Hyun
Cooperation
  1. Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa
  2. Gwangju Culture Foundation
  3. Babonanum
  4. Korea Eurasia Road Run
  5. Podonamu Art Space
  6. Art5 e.V
  7. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
  8. Iskra21
  9. KIN(Korean international network)
  10. Humanities Institute of Chonnam National University
  11. Korean Women’s Group Germany
  12. Japanische Fraueninitiative Berlin
  13. Free University of Gwangju
  14. Pungmulpae Dunum
  15. INCHEON JOBARTE
  16. Bupyeong-gu Festival Committee
  17. Korea Arts Management Service
  18. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea
  19. neolook
  20. Heinrich Böll Stiftung - East Asia Office
  21. MMC KIBLA MMC KIBLA, Maribor, Slovenia
  22. Ministry of Culture, Republic Slovenia
logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image logo image