We are pleased to announce that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture will present three art projects, “TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Programs”, when Tokyo will host the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics.
One of them is “Breathe Move Don't Be Silent”, a stage production in which Deaf and hearing people encounter each other, aiming at “social recognition of the Deaf community and Deaf culture” as well as fostering “mutual understanding between Deaf and hearing people”. The piece, co-created with Tokyo University of the Arts, will be performed on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Main Hall of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
This will be the world premiere of a completely new work with an original story performed in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese. Deaf people and hearing people, with different cultures and languages, will meet on stage to explore their own “music” for each.
We sometimes become silent because we think we cannot communicate, or we stop moving because we think things will never change. The opportunity to meet each other and create with our hands leads to the unraveling of such stagnation. The world situation and people's perceptions are ceaselessly shifting from moment to moment. What is created when the breathing rhythms of different languages and cultures come together?
We will keep sharing the creative process, discussions and discoveries on our website. Please follow our steps.
