KYOTOGRAPHIE 2019, one of Japan's few international photography festivals, will be held in Kyoto from April 13 to May 12, 2019. It will feature precious photographs and photo collections by important artists from Japan and abroad.

Veronika Gęsicka, "Untitled #5" from the Traces series, 2015–2017. Courtesy of the artist and Jednostka gallery

This photography festival displays photographs and photo collections by a variety of artists in quaint historical buildings and modern contemporary architecture. The festival has gained popularity with each passing year, with approximately 560,000 visitors by the sixth edition.

The theme for the seventh edition in 2019 is "VIBE," a theme that sharpens our senses and awakens something dormant within us. Leading artists from Japan and abroad, including Ismaíl Bahri from France and Tunisia, Weronika Gęsicka from Poland, and Teppei Kaneuji from Japan, will present new works and original photography in quaint Kyoto buildings, awakening the "VIBE" within everyone.

The satellite event "KG+ (Kagee Plus)" will also be held at the same time. Launched in 2013, this open-entry art festival aims to discover and support promising photographers and curators. The former Junpu Elementary School will host "KG+ SELECT," an exhibition of works by 12 "KG+ AWARD" nominees selected from a public competition. The "KG+" exhibition will also be held at various locations throughout Kyoto City, featuring solo and group exhibitions planned and organized by artists, curators, galleries, art museums, educational and cultural institutions, and exhibitions by festival sponsors.