[UNHCR Representation in Japan] “SONGS – Voices of Refugees Told Through Art” Exhibition at TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE TAKAMATSU ORNE
UNHCR Representation in Japan Press Release: October 1, 2025 “SONGS – Voices of Refugees Told Through Stories” related exhibition at TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE TAKAMATSU ORNE Deepen your experience at the Setouchi Triennale through books The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is co-hosting “SONGS – The Voices of Refugees Told Through Objects,” one of the key projects at the Setouchi Triennale 2025, with the Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee. Starting Friday, October 3rd, the start of the fall session of the art festival, in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition at Takamatsu Port, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE TAKAMATSU ORNE will be hosting a related event to further broaden understanding of the work through books. During the season of art and reading, this event will provide a space to contemplate refugee stories and peace through books and art.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/161980/9/161980-9-eed256f4ffddacb1f3ef19c3eadd6f4c-2000×1331.jpg – A section featuring books selected by photographer Takashi Homma – Introduction to picture books, novels, and non-fiction on themes of refugees and peace – Exhibition panels explaining the background of the works, as well as tabloids and bookmarks of the works that you can take home *This exhibition is linked to the “Refugee Stories Exhibition,” which the UNHCR Japan Office is running at bookstores and libraries nationwide, and features a book list of books on the themes of refugees and peace. Visitors can pick up an original bookmark (with a QR code) and use the exhibition as an opportunity to expand their reading habits. ■ Takashi Homma Profile In 1999, he won the 24th Kimura Ihei Award for his photo book “Tokyo Suburbs” (Korinsha). His publications include “Fun Photography: Photography Classes for Good Children” (Heibonsha). Recent collections of his work include “TOKYO OLYMPIA” (NIEVES Publishing) and “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” (MACK Publishing). He will hold a solo exhibition, “Improvisation,” at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum from 2023 to 2024. ■UNHCR × Setouchi Triennale Takashi Homma “SONGS—The Voices of Refugees Told Through Objects” In “SONGS—The Voices of Refugees Told Through Objects,” the first joint project between the Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee and UNHCR, photographer Takashi Homma will exhibit his work, depicting people who have been forced to flee their homes and the “important things” that they have held on to even during their refugee lives, in a special gallery at Takamatsu Port and in tabloid magazines. Through his work, which sometimes involves dialogue, depicting people who have been forced to flee their homes and the “important things” that they have held on to even during their refugee lives, sheds light on the individual stories of refugees that cannot be seen through numbers.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/161980/9/161980-9-1a4d8fdbdb519be5c2132b041df62e40-2960×1964.jpg Exhibition at the special gallery at Takamatsu Port ■ UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) UNHCR, the United Nations refugee assistance agency, operates in approximately 135 countries around the world to provide international protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and others. In collaboration with Japan, which co-chaired the Second Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2023, UNHCR works with a variety of partners to promote “society-wide refugee assistance.” The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. ■ Setouchi Triennale The Setouchi Triennale is a contemporary art festival held every three years since 2010, set on the islands and coasts of the Seto Inland Sea. The approximately 100-day festival is divided into three seasons: spring, summer, and fall, allowing visitors to experience the charms of the Setouchi region in each season. Approximately one million people visit the festival from both within Japan and abroad during its duration, making it one of Japan’s leading international art festivals. Under the theme of “Restoring the Sea,” visitors travel around the islands using art as a guidepost, interacting with artists, local residents, and volunteer supporters, and encountering the beautiful scenery and nature of Setouchi, as well as the island’s culture and lifestyle, has resonated with many people both in Japan and overseas. The Setouchi Triennale has also been featured in well-known magazines around the world, garnering attention from the global tourism industry. automatically, so please do not reply.
