Milano Holidays 2009 is already underway and by the sounds of it, this is the event that you don’t want to miss! There is something about the blend of art, holiday cheer and charity that has a way of making you feel alive.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to ask the very talented and generous Shiryu Musashi a few questions to help me (and you) have a better understanding about the motivation and passion behind this extraordinary event.

NR – Milano Holidays 2009 is just underway and I can imagine that you must be very excited. How long did it take for you to prepare for such a celebrated event?

SM – It always takes quite a few between the “gathering ideas” phase and the execution. It took probably about a month, but of course I worked on it only during spare time, so the actual time spent on it is less.

NR – Just from following your line in Plurk, I know that a lot of attention and consideration went into this charity portion of the event. What I would love to know is what inspired you to choose Toys for Tots?

SM – I think there are a few charities that are more appropriate for a Christmas-themed exhibition. There are many, too many children that don’t really HAVE a christmas, and Toys for Tots tries to put a small but meaningful patch to that. That’s why I encourage my fellow second life residents to help by making the picture frame part of their gifts for their friends this year. It’s very affordable, and you will give a gift not to one person only, but to two!

NR – I have noticed that for a small donation you are giving a very generous gift of original Christmas photographs in sculpted frames. With ten unique pictures and the rights to transfer, there is no doubt that these will make a wonderful Christmas gift to family and friends. How did you decide on this gift and what pictures to use?

SM – I thought it was a good idea to let people bring home a “slice of Christmas” in a country that many don’t see often, and in a city that is absolutely charming but often gets neglected even by people that do come to Italy (most go to Rome or Venice, they’re beautiful as well, but Milan deserves a visit, believe me). As for the picture I chose, it was just a matter of personal preference. I selected my ten favourites and the ones that, in my eyes, shown the Christmas spirit the most.

NR – The exhibition itself is displaying 50 original pictures and 2 films that you have created. The theme is based on the holiday season in the beautiful city of Milan. What do you hope your guests will take from seeing these pieces that you so carefully put together?

SM – I love lights, they are part of what makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside at during the Holidays. In my eyes they are a symbol for so many good and warm things. So I wanted to share not only the natural charm, but also the lights of my city with everyone else, to share part of those warm feelings. If someone will come to my exhibition and will go back home at least a bit warmed up by all those lights, I will have achieved my goal.

NR – I understand that there is more to come. You are also working on a second event, World Holidays 2009. This event invites your guests to take part of a grand contest and gives them the opportunity to receive prizes from your sponsors, Musashi-Do and SySy’s. Though information on how to participate can be found at: http://musashido.blogspot.com/2009/12/milano-holidays-2009-photographic.html , do you have any tips for those who would be entering?

SM – Actually there isn’t much to say tips-wise, every kind of holiday themed picture (not just Christmas, but also Hanukkah and other winter holidays) is eligible. It’s not a matter of having the best picture, but a matter of sharing how the holiday season looks where you live. This is why I decided that the contest won’t have any “judging”, and the prizes will be given by raffle. In the context of this exhibition, a cheerful and cute picture taked with a cellphone has the same value than an astonishing and artful picture taken with a 2000 dollars professional camera. I encourage everyone not to be shy and to enter, let’s get together to show everyone how the Holidays look all over the world!

Thank you Shiryu for your time and inspiration during this otherwise hectic Holiday season!