📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
In 2016, Nara city was selected as one of the three “Eest Asia Culture city” to carry out the national program in order to enhance cultural interaction and build a better relationship among Japan, China and Korea. While, Nimpo寧波市in China and Jeju済州in Korea are hosting this event, Nara city in Japan sets up three themes: Theatrical art, Fine art and food to find diversity and commonality among East Asian countries. By appreciating each culture and tradition, the executive committee thinks it is possible for us all to have more mutual understanding and strengthen international competitiveness in the field of diverse culture in East Asia. Though a world is getting flatter in the wave of globalization, we reconsider our identity and culture we belong to and look for new creation/solution for peace building in East Asian countries. This is a new CIEE workcamp supported by Nara city government.
More information is on http://culturecity-nara.com/ (English website is under construction and will be released by the end of March)
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers help preparation process mainly in fine art section. Volunteer activities may vary according to the artists and locations. There may be work in carpentry, handwork and cleaning. Many of them are international artists who play an active role in international art communities. They use a variety of shrines and temples in Nara to carry out an art installation (it is a form of art where guests can experience its dynamics by being on a space (place) itself). Main artists are: Kim Sooja (Korea), Shilpa Gupta (India), Tadashi Kawamata (Japanese) and many others who represent a field of modern art in Asia.
The hosting committee expects that local residents in Nara and related organizations can be more conscious of taking an active role in international community by interacting/working with international volunteers.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation:
Volunteer facility near the project location
Facilities:
Sleep on Japanese FUTON or bed in a shared room. A kitchen, a lavatory (both western and Japanese), a shower, a laundry, and the internet is available. There are convenience store, supermarket and the internet café in the neighbor.
🍲 Food
Volunteers cook meals by themselves three times a day.
📍 About the location
Nara is known as a good destination for international tourists because there are many world heritages such as Heijo Palace Site, Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine and so on. Japanese tea (Yamato-cha), Wagashi, pickles (Tsukemono), Sake, Manju, Udon are also believed to have a root (origin) in this area.
During free days, you may go sightseeing those areas or enjoy having authentic Japanese food. A volunteer needs at least 10,000 JPY in cash if she/he wants to go sightseeing on free-day.
Nara city sightseeing information center (ENGLISH) http://narashikanko.or.jp/en/
⚠️ Requirements
1. Extra fee of 15,000 JPY (about 120 EURO) for food is required to be paid on arrival
2. We look for those who respect other cultures and have an interest in traditional Japanese culture and modern art, and interest of this “Eest Asia Culture City” concept.
3. Basic Japanese conversational skill is recommended
Bring a sleeping bag, long sleeved T shirts and trousers, work clothes (which can get dirty), bath towel, toiletries, work shoes (which can get dirty. No sandal in work days) and hat/cap.
ℹ️ Additional information
Peak season is between 3rd September and 23rd October. You are welcome to stay after the workcamp (it is however at your risk and charge) to help operation and event guide.
There is also a special project called “Making a ship” at Todaiji temple between March to October. Visitors can see the process of making a ship inside the temple.