What is May Festival?
Outline
May Festival is a school festival of the University of Tokyo held every May at Hongo and Yayoi Campuses, and this year marks its 98th year. With approximately 500 organizations participating every year and 150,000 people visiting the festival over the course of two days, it stands as one of the most prominent school festivals in the country.
On the day of May Festival, many stalls line the campus and performances are staged throughout, drastically altering the normally calm campus ambiance. New encounters are born here and there, and the campus is enveloped in a sense of excitement unique to a school festival. The festival's academic aspect permeates the entire campus of the University of Tokyo, as the pinnacle of academic research. The fusion of students' enthusiasm and the academism of the University of Tokyo makes May Festival a unique and distinctive school festival.
We look forward to welcoming you to May Festival with a variety of projects that drive your core.
Greetings from the Chairperson
Thank you very much for your keen interest in the 98th May Festival, the University of Tokyo. My name is Ryunosuke Takagi, the Chairperson of the May Festival Standing Committee.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the residents of the neighborhood and all those involved for their understanding and cooperation in organizing the festival.
A quarter of the 21st century, a century enriched by various technological and cultural innovations and at the same time marked by numerous challenges, is soon about to pass. Amid the great shifts of our time, we are surrounded by a sense of both anticipation and uncertainty as society transforms into something new. Yet in the midst of this, I believe the true driving force behind our steady progress towards the future lies in the emotional stirrings, such as the uplifting excitement and inspirations, brought about by the interactions we experience each day.
The theme for the 98th May Festival is “Drives My Core.”.
At the University of Tokyo, our lives as students ー filled with academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and pure everyday moments ー are brimming with countless ideas and passions. Many hours of preparation are devoted to each and every one of these ideas and passions, taking shape and coming together in May Festival on campus. We are thrilled to have you join us at this festival, a place overflowing with encounters that will strike a chord with your soul and inspire you to try something too.
With the 100th anniversary of the 98th May Festival around the corner, we hope to walk into the future together with all of you. We are sincerely excited to share the two vibrant days that we will create together with everyone.
Chairperson of the 98th May Festival Standing Committee, the University of Tokyo
Docorations on Campuses
Decorations
8 artworks made of wood are spread around the two campuses to enhance your festive mood. You can check the locations from the map below.
Main Gate Mural
Countless triangles are spread to express the festival theme “Drives My Core.” It’s almost as if each shape has its own will. The mural stands at the Main Gate and welcomes all visitors to the festival.
Circuit
Layered circles represent the overlapping flow of circuits three-dimensionally. Enjoy the futuristic design generated from a mechanical motif.
Agriculture Main Gate Mural
This work of mural welcomes you at the Agriculture Main Gate. Circular drive is abstractly expressed by the multiple curves.
Parametric
The Golden Ratio appears in many scenes, such as in the famous Mona Lisa and shape of the galaxy. The idea of this art object came from the spiral created using this special ratio. Combined straight lines outline a curve, representing your excited heart.
Engineering Plaza Backboard
With electrical circuits as the motif, this backboard shows the encounters and connections at the festival using lines and circles. Please come find it at the Engineering Plaza.
Mirror Tile Towers
This artwork will give you a strong impression with a lot of blue mirror tiles. Some even work like kaleidoscopes if you look inside. Feel the world reflecting the theme “Drives My Core.”
Library Plaza Backboard
The theme “Drives My Core.” brought the inspiration of this dynamic ring with hexagons, expressing the aspect of drive. Please visit the Library Plaza to see the detailed design, depth, and color pattern.
Module
The artwork composed of points and lines somewhat reminds us of circuits. Have a close look and enjoy the symmetrical design with the emerging solid atmosphere.
Past Festivals
