On March 11, Japan suffered what has been described as a 1000 year event. The earthquake and tsunami destroyed 400km of coastline, killing over 10,000 people, leaving 400,000 people homeless, and has triggered a nuclear situation that is still unfolding.

Japan has inspired designers for many generations, it is the reason we travelled to this country 20 years ago, and have since made it our home. Japan is where the "PechaKucha 20 images x 20 seconds" show-and-tell event format was born, and it has gone on to inspire designers to get together in 400 cities around the world, to share their creativity at more than 1000 events each year.

Japan has inspired us all, now is it our turn to "Inspire Japan."

Let's all come together and show Japan that the creative world is thinking of them, that all is not lost, and that it is possible to stand up and rebuild, even in villages and towns which have been completely destroyed. With creativity and passion, anything is possible.

Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham
PechaKucha Founders
Tokyo

Please join us for Calgary's contribution to this global fundraiser.

Download the event invitation

Monday, May 30
Doors at 6:30pm, event at 7:00pm
Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st Street SW

The theme of PechaKucha Night Calgary #8 is "Inspire." Speakers include:

• Dean Bareham, Co-Artistic Director, Green Fools
• Suzanne Boss, Project Manager, Calgary 2012
• Ken Cameron, Playwright/Persuasive Presentation Specialist
• Aviv Fried, Owner/Baker, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
• Ken Greenberg, Architect/Urban Designer, former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto
• Kristina Groves, Four-Time Olympic Medalist, Speed Skating
• Kevin Kent, President/Chief Knife Nerd, Knifewear Inc.
• Tony Luppino, Executive Director, Leighton Art Centre
• Dan Meades, Director, Vibrant Communities Calgary
• Lara Presber, Fashion Designer

Hosted by Tim Tamashiro.

Tickets available by donation at the door or in advance at PKN8.Eventbrite.com. All proceeds will go to Architecture for Humanity's efforts to rebuild Japan.

About PechaKucha Nights:
Devised in Tokyo in 2003, PechaKucha Nights are now taking place in over 400 cities around the world. Drawing their name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat," PechaKucha Nights are based on a simple presentation format: speakers present 20 slides each, for only 20 seconds per slide. It's a format that makes presentations concise and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

Calgary PechaKucha Nights are hosted by Calgary Arts Development (CADA) and sponsored by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC).