Drug education initiative supported by the Church of Scientology opens its 2026 Dublin activities at the Connect Multicultural Festival in Blanchardstown
Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 21st May 2026 — A mobile exhibition dedicated to drug education and prevention was launched in Dublin as part of the 2026 activities of The Truth About Drugs, a secular educational campaign supported by the Church of Scientology and Scientologists.
The exhibition, first reported by GNN24x7 Ireland, opened during the Connect Multicultural Festival, held at Millennium Park in Blanchardstown. The Fingal community celebration brought together families, cultural groups and residents through music, food, art and public activities, offering a visible setting for the prevention message.
The mobile exhibit presented simple, factual information on the effects of drugs, with free educational materials intended to help people make informed decisions. Volunteers provided booklets and answered questions from visitors, many of whom stopped to learn more about drug prevention in a public and accessible format.
The Dublin initiative forms part of the international Truth About Drugs campaign, supported by the Church of Scientology and inspired by the words of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard: “The single most destructive element present in our culture is drugs.” Through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the campaign makes educational booklets, audiovisual materials and prevention resources available to schools, community organisations and public groups.
The Church of Scientology describes the campaign as part of its wider social betterment work, with drug prevention education presented as a practical contribution to communities. Its background is also set out in the Church’s information on Creating a Drug-Free World, which links the initiative to decades of educational activity by Scientologists.
The subject remains of clear public relevance in Ireland. The Health Research Board reported that 354 drug poisoning deaths were recorded in Ireland in 2021. Its findings identified opioids, benzodiazepines and antidepressants as the most common drug groups implicated in poisoning deaths overall, while cocaine and heroin were among the most common illicit drugs involved.
Against that background, local volunteers said the Dublin exhibition was designed to contribute to prevention through education, not alarmism. Its emphasis was on understandable information, early awareness and personal responsibility, particularly in communities where families and young people are seeking clear, non-technical resources.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, said the Dublin event reflected a practical approach to civic responsibility:
“Drug prevention is not only a health question; it is also a question of human dignity, education and community resilience,” said Arjona. “Across Europe, societies are strongest when citizens, families, schools and community groups work together to give young people truthful information before harm occurs. This is the spirit behind the Church of Scientology’s support for The Truth About Drugs campaign.”
The Church of Scientology & Community Centre of Dublin has previously supported community-based educational and social betterment initiatives, including drug prevention, human rights education and volunteer activities. The Dublin mobile exhibition continues that local work by placing educational material directly in public spaces where people naturally gather.
The Truth About Drugs campaign is presented as a secular initiative. Its materials are used internationally by volunteers and community partners seeking to address drug abuse through prevention and factual education. The campaign’s public materials describe its purpose as empowering young people and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed choices.
The Dublin exhibition also connected with the broader civic spirit of the Connect Multicultural Festival. In a setting designed to celebrate diversity and shared community life, the prevention message was framed as a contribution to safer neighbourhoods and stronger social cooperation.
Organisers said the mobile exhibition will continue to serve as a practical platform for public education during 2026, bringing materials to locations where community engagement can help make prevention more visible, accessible and personal.
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.
Media Contact
Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
This Enterprise Unveils Industrial High-Purity Lipid Raw Material Product Portfolio for Global Fine Chemical Clients
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 21st May 2026 – Guangzhou Hanfang Pharmaceutical Company Limited. (a subsidiary of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited) today announced updates to its industrial lipid raw material product portfolio and global service upgrades. The company’s offerings include industrial high-purity egg yolk lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, and soybean oil (general-purpose raw material), tailored to meet industrial production requirements across multiple regions. Adopting a comprehensive business model encompassing direct sales, distribution, custom processing, and technical support, the enterprise serves over 1,000 clients worldwide with a business network spanning more than 20 countries and regions, further expanding its global fine chemical supply chain footprint.
Core Product Portfolio and Technical Services
Guangzhou Baiyunshan Hanfang Pharmaceutical provides products and services tailored for industrial fine chemical enterprises and related industries:
Industrial High-Purity Lipid Raw Materials: Supplies industrial high-purity egg yolk lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, and soybean oil (general-purpose raw material), serving as core components for emulsifiers, cosolvents, and industrial energy additive raw materials, complying with process standards for industrial production scenarios.
Customization and Technical Support: Delivers customized solutions for exclusive raw material formulation needs, including compliant adjustments to component ratios and performance parameters; the technical team provides end-to-end guidance on production process applications.
Comprehensive Business Model: Covers direct sales, authorized distribution, custom processing, and technical services, meeting diverse needs from standard orders to customized projects.
Global Compliance and Quality Standards
The enterprise has established operational and quality systems aligned with international fine chemical supply chain norms. Its production base in Conghua, Guangzhou, adopts fully controlled end-to-end processes to ensure consistent product quality. Products are sold across Asia, Europe, and other regions, with efficient delivery enabled by mature logistics channels.
Supply and Service Information
Products are available globally through the direct sales team and authorized distributors. Orders are accepted from industrial fine chemical enterprises and related manufacturers, with standard production lead times provided. Custom processing services are available for premium clients, alongside formulation technical consultations. Clients may inquire via the official website or regional sales representatives.
“We focus on ensuring the stability of the fine chemical supply chain, with deep expertise in the lipid raw material sector,” said Chen Shiqi, Project Manager at Guangzhou Baiyunshan Hanfang Pharmaceutical. “We are committed to delivering stable, reliable products and technical support to meet the evolving needs of our global clients.”
Industry Background and Strategic Direction
Industry data indicates sustained growth in global demand for high-quality industrial lipid raw materials, driven primarily by the expansion of global fine chemical production capacity and the need for supply chain resilience. As a member enterprise of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, Baiyunshan Hanfang closely follows trends in the fine chemical supply chain industry, focusing on product stability and global technical services to support the growth of clients worldwide.
Future Plans
Guangzhou Baiyunshan Hanfang Pharmaceutical will continue to increase investment in production capacity and product R&D, with plans to expand its global distribution network, upgrade technical service systems for international clients, and prioritize meeting the diverse production needs of core markets.
About Guangzhou Hanfang Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangzhou Hanfang Pharmaceutical Company Limited employs more than 330 people across production, R&D, quality control, and administration. The enterprise specializes in industrial fine chemical raw materials, lipid raw materials, and supporting technical services, with products sold in over 20 countries and regions. It holds multiple patents for lipid processing technologies, with its Conghua production base serving as the core production hub. The enterprise’s mission is “stable supply, technical collaboration, empowering the global fine chemical industry.” For more information, please visit the official website: https://www.byshanhanfang.com/
Media Contact
Organization: Guangzhou Hanfang Pharmaceutical Company Limited
On Europe Day, volunteers distributed 1,500 educational items on human rights and their history, drawing steady public attention in the French capital.
Brussels, Belgium, 14th May 2026 — A mobile human rights exhibit held in central Paris on 9 May brought a visible public education initiative to one of the city’s busy pedestrian areas, where residents and visitors were invited to learn more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the long history of human rights ideas.
The exhibit, set up in a highly visible tent, drew the attention of passers-by throughout the day. Around 15 volunteers took part in the initiative, distributing approximately 700 flyers inviting people to visit the stand and 800 educational booklets presenting human rights and their historical development in accessible language.
The activity coincided with 9 May, widely marked across the European Union as Europe Day, a date associated with peace, cooperation and the civic values that shaped post-war Europe. In that context, the Paris exhibit placed human rights education at street level, offering short conversations, printed materials and visual displays to people of different ages and backgrounds.
The mobile exhibit presented human rights not as an abstract legal concept, but as a practical subject connected to daily life, dignity and civic responsibility. Visitors were able to view panels, receive booklets and speak with volunteers about the origins and meaning of fundamental rights, including the importance of education in making those rights understood by younger generations.
The initiative forms part of the broader human rights education work supported by members and groups of the Church of Scientology, inspired by the writings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who placed strong emphasis on human dignity, moral responsibility and the role of education in improving society. In France and across Europe, Scientology volunteers have taken part in public information activities focused on human rights, drug prevention, literacy, moral values and community support.
The Paris event also reflected the wider civic education approach promoted through Scientology Europe’s EU Values campaign, which presents European values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights as principles that require understanding and practical application in daily life. By placing educational materials directly in a public space, the Paris exhibit connected the universal language of human rights with the European civic framework in which those rights are protected and discussed.
“Human rights become meaningful when they are understood by ordinary people, not only by institutions,” said Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. “An exhibit like this in Paris reflects a very European idea: that dignity, freedom of conscience and responsibility belong in public life. It is also fully aligned with the spirit of Europe’s values, which depend on citizens who know their rights, respect the rights of others and take responsibility for building more inclusive communities.”
The Paris volunteers reported that the tent’s visibility helped bring a constant flow of people past the exhibit. Some stopped briefly to take a flyer, while others entered the tent, asked questions or received booklets. The format allowed the materials to reach both local residents and international visitors passing through the area.
The booklets distributed during the day presented the development of human rights through history, including the modern understanding reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. By using simple language and visual presentation, the exhibit aimed to make the subject accessible to people who may not usually engage with formal legal or institutional documents.
For the volunteers, the activity was also a practical expression of civic participation. Human rights education campaigns often depend on direct contact with the public, particularly in urban spaces where people from many cultures, languages and social backgrounds meet. In Paris, a city closely associated with the history of rights, citizenship and public debate, the mobile exhibit provided a setting where those themes could be presented in a direct and approachable way.
The Church of Scientology has long supported educational and social betterment campaigns carried out by its churches, missions and volunteers. These initiatives include human rights awareness, drug prevention, disaster response through Volunteer Ministers, and moral education based on common-sense principles. While each activity is adapted to local circumstances, the common emphasis is on prevention, education and individual responsibility.
The Paris exhibit reflected that approach. Rather than focusing on ceremony or speeches, the event relied on visibility, printed educational materials and one-to-one engagement. The presence of volunteers throughout the day allowed people to receive information at their own pace, ask questions and continue on their way with materials they could read later.
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.
Media Contact
Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Community seminar in Copenhagen focused on integration, education and support for displaced families adapting to life in Denmark
Brussels, Belgium, 14th May 2026 — Ukrainian parents living in Denmark gathered in Copenhagen for an educational seminar aimed at helping families better understand the Danish school system, child development approaches and the social integration process facing many displaced families since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
The seminar was organized by the Church of Scientology Denmark and held in Copenhagen, bringing together Ukrainian mothers seeking practical guidance on how to support their children’s adaptation to Danish educational culture while maintaining stability within the family environment.
The initiative was reported by MyNewsDesk Denmark, highlighting the growing need for community-based educational support programs for refugee and migrant families across Europe.
The seminar was led by Marianne, an experienced educator and founder of a private kindergarten with nearly 30 years of professional experience. During the session, she explained key aspects of the Danish educational philosophy, including the importance placed on independence, social interaction, play-based learning and close cooperation between schools and parents.
Participants discussed the differences between educational expectations in Denmark and those common in Ukraine. One example that generated considerable discussion involved the Danish emphasis on exploratory outdoor activities for children, even when that means children return home with dirty clothing after a day of learning and play. According to attendees, the example helped illustrate broader cultural differences regarding childhood development and education.
The seminar also addressed practical concerns that many Ukrainian parents experience when interacting with Danish institutions, including communication with teachers, pedagogues, speech specialists and municipal educational services.
Questions surrounding parental authority and cooperation with schools were discussed openly. Organizers explained that the Danish system encourages active parental participation while also providing professional support structures designed to assist children with language acquisition, social integration and academic development.
One participant, identified as Iriny in the report, described the seminar as “interesting and practical,” noting that it provided valuable insight into how Danish educational institutions cooperate with families and support children adapting to a new cultural environment.
The event forms part of a broader pattern of local initiatives organized by Scientology communities across Europe focused on education, social betterment and humanitarian support. Churches, missions and affiliated groups regularly host activities connected to drug prevention, volunteer assistance, literacy, human rights education and community support programs.
These initiatives are inspired by the humanitarian principles and social philosophy developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, whose writings on education, communication and social responsibility continue to influence many Scientology-supported social programs worldwide.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, commented on the broader significance of such community initiatives in Europe:
“Successful integration is built through understanding, access to information, mutual respect and the active participation of families within society. Community initiatives that help parents understand educational systems and social structures contribute positively to social cohesion and to the well-being of children adapting to new environments.”
Organizers indicated that additional seminars and educational activities are being considered in the future, including further discussions on cultural adaptation and the integration of children into Danish society.
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.
Media Contact
Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
Full Lineup of 12 Works Announced for Light Art Park, Artistically Directed by Kenji Kohashi. Program Includes a New Work by Yoichi Ochiai and the Japan Debut of GAIA; Viewing Area Advance Registration Opens.
Tokyo, Japan, 13th May 2026 – The Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee is pleased to announce that TOKYO LIGHTS 2026, a creative festival of light illuminating Tokyo’s nights, will be held from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building, Citizens’ Plaza and the Nishi-Shinjuku area (including Shinjuku Chuo Park)
The Committee is also pleased to announce that actress Tao Tsuchiya has been appointed official ambassador for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. In addition, the Committee is unveiling the full lineup of 12 planned works for Light Art Park, the event’s light art program under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi. The program will bring together notable works from Japan and abroad, including a new installation by Yoichi Ochiai, the Japan debut of GAIA, and legacy works from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Viewing Area Advance Registration Now Open via official website!
Official Ambassador
The Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of actress Tao Tsuchiya as the official ambassador for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. Widely supported across generations and known for continually taking on new creative challenges, Ms. Tsuchiya will help promote the event and will also appear at the Grand Finale on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Tao Tsuchiya Comments: “My first encounter with TOKYO LIGHTS was in 2022. I was deeply moved by the experience, which felt as though I had traveled into another world, and since then my family and I have visited every year. It is a great honor to now take on the role of ambassador. Projection mapping and light art connect people and connect generations and perhaps may even connect us to the universe. I believe they hold limitless possibilities. I hope to share this experience with many people at the venue.”
Born in Tokyo on February 3, 1995, Tao Tsuchiya made her film debut in Tokyo Sonata (2008) and rose to national prominence after being cast as the heroine of NHK’s morning drama series Mare (2015). Since then, she has built a wide-ranging career across film, television, stage, and animation, with more than 37 starring works as of 2026.
Five Themes of VISIBLE TOKYO
Under the concept of VISIBLE TOKYO, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 presents five themes through which visitors can experience the city in light: Visible CITY, Visible NATURE, Visible HEART, Visible CONNECTION, and Visible IMAGINATION. Through these themes, the event seeks to visualize the many elements that shape Tokyo—its urban landscape, nature, emotions, human connections, and creativity—through the shared language of light.
Visible CITY expresses Tokyo itself through light, including the flow of the city, traffic, signs of human presence, and data. Visible NATURE presents installations that evoke the breath of nature and the subtle movements of life. Visible HEART features artworks that project emotions, memories, and lingering traces of feeling as light. Visible CONNECTION explores interfaces of light linking the city and nature, and people and the city. Visible IMAGINATION offers participatory and immersive expressions designed to stimulate creativity and inspiration.
Light Art Park
For a limited period, Light Art Park will transform Shinjuku Chuo Park into an immersive environment of light art. Under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi, who has led numerous international events and large-scale festivals including Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, artists from Japan and overseas will depict the “invisible Tokyo” through light.
Light Art Park is organized around four themes—Visible CITY, Visible NATURE, Visible HEART, and Visible CONNECTION. Throughout the venue, visitors will encounter works that give physical form to these themes, allowing them to experience the world of VISIBLE TOKYO as they walk through the park.
Featured 5 Works
GAIA / Visible HEART / Lawn Area (East) / Luke Jerram / United Kingdom Courtesy of Light Art Collection
Making its highly anticipated Japan debut—an immersive experience of viewing Earth from space
Photo (c) R.o.R Festival & Ana Rojc
Created by Luke Jerram, known for works that cross artistic disciplines, GAIA is a monumental Earth installation at seven meters in diameter. Produced using high-resolution NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, the work offers an immersive experience akin to viewing the planet from space. The installation will make its Japan debut at TOKYO LIGHTS 2026.
Embrace / Visible CITY / Fun More Time Hiroba / Beamhacker / Australia
Human connection expands outward as ripples of light
This participatory installation by Beamhacker, known for interactive works combining light and mirrors, invites visitors to join hands with the human-shaped silhouettes arranged around the piece. As they do so, ripples of light spread outward in a chain reaction, and the installation becomes increasingly dynamic through communication and cooperation among participants.
Liquid Universe: Sōbō Chūfu — An Unclassifiable Entomologia of the Luminous Swarm / Visible CONNECTION / Chobo-no-Mori / Yoichi Ochiai / Japan
A new installation by Yoichi Ochiai, where the lights of nature and the city intersect.
Created for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 by Yoichi Ochiai, this new installation brings together different forms of light found in nature and in the city—such as fireflies, bioluminescent organisms, and LEDs—within a four-meter pillar of light. Amid imagery continuously generated by computational nature, the work invites visitors to reconsider the boundary between the natural and the artificial.
Visible TOWER / Visible CITY / Fun More Time Hiroba / V_T / Japan
This tower-shaped installation visualizes the memories and everyday activities of people passing through the city as “memories of light.” During the day, it reflects the surrounding urban landscape and its visitors like a mirror; at night, AI-generated collages of the city’s memories appear on an LED display. Visitors may also walk through the sculpture itself and experience these “memories of light” at close range. V_T：YAMACHANG / Kenji Kohashi / Naoya Murayama
INTER-WORLD/Co-cooner: Apparent motion of celestial bodies / Visible NATURE / Hana-no-Mori / Akihito Okunaka / Japan
A legacy work from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai that evokes the cycles of nature
This experiential work was exhibited as an official program of Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025 at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Through a soft sculptural form that amplifies natural phenomena created by the interaction of air, water, and sunlight, the work encourages visitors to reflect on how human beings are connected to the world. Visitors are invited to step inside and experience being enveloped by pods of changing light.
Additional Works and Open Call Program
In addition to the featured works above, Light Art Park will include a range of other installations, including Seeds of Light— Egg of Hope, first exhibited at Burning Man in the Nevada desert in the United States; Photosynthesis, in which FLIGHTGRAF, a headliner at one of Europe’s leading light festivals, depicts the breathing cycle of plants; and TOKYO Hyakka Ryōran, which likens Tokyo’s individuality to a giant blooming flower. Throughout the venue, visitors will encounter light-based expressions that resonate with both the city and nature.
As opportunities to present light art in public spaces in Japan remain limited, the event has also held an open call and will exhibit works by emerging artists and students selected through the screening process. Through these efforts, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 aims to help foster a new generation of artists and creators working in light-based expression.
1minute Projection Mapping Competition
The 1minute Projection Mapping Competition is one of the world’s most established and prestigious international projection mapping competitions, originating in Japan since 2012. Each year, creators compete for top honors with works running from one minute to one minute fifty-nine seconds. Bringing together leading creators from around the world as well as rising young talent, the competition offers a unique opportunity in Japan to experience a wide range of highly accomplished and distinctive works in one place.
The competition invited entries under the theme “Dialogue”. A total of 412 entries were received from 65 countries and regions around the world. Finalists selected from among these entries will compete for the Grand Prix.
Jury Member and Invited Artist Ouchhh / Digital Media Artist / Turkey
A global creative new media studio that develops data-driven expression at the intersection of art and technology. Guided by the concept of “using data as paint and algorithms as brushes,” the studio creates immersive installations and public art powered by AI and data in locations around the world. Based in Istanbul, it has delivered more than 75 international projects and received numerous international honors, including the Red Dot Design Award.
Kentaro Tanaka / Video Creator / Graphic Designer (Winner of the previous competition) / Japan
Born in 2000 and raised in Sapporo, he won 1minute Projection Mapping 2024. He has participated in the Video Mapping Festival in Amiens, France, as well as an artist residency in Lille, France. Centering his practice on Cinema 4D, he works across 3DCG and graphic design, exploring visual expression inspired by subtle moments of discomfort and dissonance that surface in everyday life.
MCs for the International Competition Awards Ceremony
For the International Competition Awards Ceremony, Tetsuya Bessho and Aki Shibuya will serve as MCs.
Tetsuya Bessho – Actor; Representative of Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
Aki Shibuya: Bilingual MC; Journalist
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026, led by Mr. Bessho, will be held during the same period as this event, creating a connection between two international visual media festivals. Ms. Shibuya will return as MC for the fifth consecutive year since the 2021 competition, helping create a vibrant bilingual program in both Japanese and English.
Advance Registration Information Please note, however, that for the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition, attendance in the viewing area will require advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis due to venue capacity limits.
1minute Projection Mapping Competition Viewing Area Registration
Advance Registration Start: Thursday, April 28, 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Viewing Area, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1 – Citizens’ Plaza
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1 – Citizens’ Plaza, the event venue
Event Overview: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026
TOKYO LIGHTS is a festival of light born in 2021 that illuminates Tokyo’s nights. Centered on an international projection mapping competition featuring creators from around the world and experiential entertainment that fuses light, art, and technology, the event sends a message of creativity and hope toward the future.
Event Title: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026
Venues: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Tokyo Citizen’s Plaza
(2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023) Shinjuku Chuo Park
(2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Dates (scheduled): Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
1minute Projection Mapping Competition
Screenings: Saturday, May 23; Sunday, May 24; and Sunday, May 31, 2026
Screenings / Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Light Art Park Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
Grand Finale Sunday, May 31, 2026
Organizer: Projection Mapping International Award TOKYO Executive Committee
Easy Global Banking has published the GOBI 2026, a composite index scoring 24 offshore banking jurisdictions across 15 indicators and five pillars. Singapore leads at 88.6, followed by Switzerland at 87.2.
Chur, Switzerland, 11th May 2026 — Easy Global Banking, the international banking consultancy operated by BMA Business Solutions GmbH (UID CHE-422.832.034), today published the Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 (GOBI 2026). The index scores 24 offshore banking jurisdictions using 15 indicators grouped into five equally weighted pillars: Economic Strength, Sovereign & Banking Stability, Regulatory & Compliance, Tax & Legal Environment, and Operational Accessibility.
Singapore received the highest composite score at 88.6 out of 100, classified as Premier Tier. Switzerland scored 87.2, also Premier Tier. Luxembourg placed third at 84.2, earning Tier 1 classification. The complete dataset, pillar-level scores, and methodology documentation are available at the Global Offshore Banking Index.
GOBI 2026 — Top 10 Jurisdictions by Composite Score
The top 10 jurisdictions in the GOBI 2026 are Singapore (88.6, Premier), Switzerland (87.2, Premier), Luxembourg (84.2, Tier 1), Netherlands (83.0, Tier 1), Ireland (82.8, Tier 1), Jersey (82.8, Tier 1), Hong Kong (81.6, Tier 1), Liechtenstein (80.8, Tier 1), UAE / Dubai (80.4, Tier 1), and Isle of Man (79.8, Tier 1). Two jurisdictions achieved Premier classification; eight earned Tier 1. Scores below 75.0 fall into Tier 2 or Tier 3 categories, as documented in the full index.
Scoring Summary
Singapore’s score was driven by an Operational Accessibility rating of 90 — the highest recorded in the GOBI 2026 — and a Regulatory Compliance rating of 92. Non-resident account eligibility criteria and documentation requirements across Singapore’s licensed banks are published in Easy Global Banking’s Singapore bank account research for non-residents.
Switzerland recorded the highest Sovereign & Banking Stability score in the index at 98 out of 100. The Swiss banking sector holds Assets Under Management equivalent to approximately five times the country’s GDP. Switzerland’s Operational Accessibility score was 65, reflecting higher minimum deposit thresholds and documentation requirements. Procedural standards and institution-level requirements are documented in Easy Global Banking’s research on opening a Swiss bank account.
The Cayman Islands received a Sovereign Stability score of 98, equal to Switzerland. The UAE earned Tier 1 classification with an Economic Strength score of 82 and a Regulatory Compliance score of 88. Panama (63.2) and Seychelles (58.4) were classified as Tier 2, with score reductions attributed to Basel AML Index ratings and Greylist deductions. Vanuatu (48.6) and Marshall Islands (45.0) placed lowest among the 24 jurisdictions assessed.
Quote
Asel Mamytova, Managing Director of BMA Business Solutions GmbH and founder of Easy Global Banking:
“The GOBI was designed to surface what actually determines a successful account opening — regulatory compliance depth, operational accessibility, and institutional stability. Those three pillars decide whether an application is approved and whether assets remain protected over a 10-year horizon. Singapore wins on accessibility; Switzerland wins on permanence. The right answer depends on the applicant’s profile, not on rankings alone.”
Methodology
The GOBI 2026 applies min-max normalisation to a 0–100 scale across all 15 indicators. Each of the five pillars carries equal weight at 20 percent. Data sources include the IMF World Economic Outlook, IMF Financial Soundness Indicators, BIS Locational Banking Statistics, OECD Global Forum, Basel Institute on Governance, PwC Tax Summaries, IBFD Database, World Bank, World Justice Project, Heritage Foundation, and proprietary GOBI research. The structural model follows the Global Financial Centres Index and the Financial Secrecy Index.
Distribution
The Global Offshore Banking Index 2026 is published as an open-access research resource. The index will be updated annually under documented version control (current: Methodological Stability v1.2). Journalists, academics, and financial professionals may cite and reference the index with attribution to Easy Global Banking.
About Easy Global Banking
Easy Global Banking is the client-facing advisory practice of BMA Business Solutions GmbH, registered in Chur, Switzerland. Founded by Asel Mamytova, the practice provides jurisdiction assessment, bank selection, and compliance documentation services for individuals and businesses opening offshore bank accounts globally. The research function of BMA Business Solutions GmbH produces the Global Offshore Banking Index and maintains annual reference datasets, including Swiss private banks ranked by Assets Under Management and private banks in Singapore ranked by AUM.
All information published by Easy Global Banking and BMA Business Solutions GmbH is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice.
DexMoji is a newly launched Telegram-based platform offering Dexscreener Trending and Dextools Trending services for blockchain projects across all major chains and DEX networks.
United States, 6th May 2026 – DexMoji has announced the launch of a Telegram-based platform providing blockchain project teams with access to DEX Trending and Dextools Trending services across all major networks.
What Is DexMoji?
DexMoji is a Telegram-based service developed for blockchain developers and project teams seeking structured access to DEX visibility tools. The platform operates across all major chains and processes orders entirely through Telegram, requiring no wallet connections or credentials from users.
Dexscreener Trending
DexMoji provides Dexscreener Trending services for projects across all supported chains. Orders are processed through the Telegram interface with immediate start times and live progress tracking available throughout execution.
Dextools Trending
Alongside its Dexscreener Trending offering, DexMoji provides Dextools Trending services covering all major chains. Teams running both services simultaneously can maintain presence across two of the most widely referenced DEX analytics platforms within the decentralized finance community.
Reactions Bot
DexMoji operates a reactions bot supporting all five available reaction types on supported DEX platforms — rocket, fire, poop, flag, and watchlist. Orders begin immediately upon placement and can be monitored in real time through the Telegram interface.
Phantom Wallet
For Solana-based projects, DexMoji offers additional visibility services through Phantom wallet, extending coverage into the wallet environment used across the Solana ecosystem.
Independent Operation
DexMoji operates as an independent platform with no affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship from Dexscreener, Dextools, Phantom, or any other third-party platform. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Users remain solely responsible for ensuring their use of the platform aligns with all applicable terms, policies, and regulations.
HODL.DANCE is a new decentralized memecoin launchpad on BNB Chain offering bonding curve launches, permanent liquidity locking on PancakeSwap V3, and on-chain creator rewards via the $HODL4 program. HODL.DANCE Launches First Memecoin Launchpad on BNB Chain with Permanent Liquidity Lock and Built-In Creator Rewards The platform lets anyone launch a memecoin in seconds — with liquidity locked forever and trading fees flowing back to creators and traders.
United States, 4th May 2026 – HODL.DANCE, a new decentralized memecoin launchpad built on BNB Chain (BSC), has officially launched, offering a transparent and creator-friendly alternative to existing token launch platforms. The platform combines a bonding curve pricing mechanism with permanent liquidity locking and an on-chain rewards program — a combination rarely seen in the memecoin space.
What is HODL.DANCE?
HODL.DANCE allows any user to launch a memecoin directly from their browser in just a few clicks — no coding knowledge required. Once a token is created, it trades along a bonding curve until it reaches the graduation threshold. At that point, the token graduates to PancakeSwap V3, and the liquidity is locked permanently — ensuring traders can always buy and sell without rug pull risk.
Unlike other launchpads where creators profit only from the initial launch, HODL.DANCE distributes a portion of every trading fee to token creators and active ecosystem participants through its native $HODL4 rewards program. Leftover tokens from the bonding curve are burned at graduation, making each token deflationary by design.
Built for Transparency
Every core action on HODL.DANCE happens on-chain. Token verification, fee distribution, and liquidity locking are all managed by smart contracts deployed on BSC. The platform charges a flat 1% trading fee — no hidden costs, no off-chain surprises.
Key Features:
Launch a memecoin in seconds — no coding required
Liquidity locked permanently on PancakeSwap V3 at graduation
Creators earn from trading fees, not just the launch
Unsold tokens burned at graduation — built-in deflation
$HODL4 Rewards Program — earn by trading and participating
On-chain verification and transparent 1% fee structure
Smart contracts deployed on BNB Chain (BSC)
About HODL.DANCE
HODL.DANCE is a decentralized memecoin launchpad on BNB Chain. The platform was built to give memecoin creators and traders a safe, transparent, and rewarding environment to launch and trade tokens. The team believes that locked liquidity and shared revenue are the foundation of a healthier memecoin ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or trading advice. Digital assets and blockchain-based technologies involve risk. Readers are responsible for conducting their own due diligence and complying with applicable laws and regulations.
“Deeply Moved by an Otherworldly Journey” Actor Tao Tsuchiya says; Artistically Directed by Kenji Kohashi. Program Includes a New Work by Yoichi Ochiai and the Japan Debut of GAIA; Viewing Area Advance Registration Opens.
Tokyo, Japan, 4th May 2026 – The Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee is pleased to announce that TOKYO LIGHTS 2026, a creative festival of light illuminating Tokyo’s nights, will be held from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building, Citizens’ Plaza and the Nishi-Shinjuku area (including Shinjuku Chuo Park)
The Committee is also pleased to announce that actor Tao Tsuchiya has been appointed official ambassador for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. In addition, the Committee is unveiling the full lineup of 12 planned works for Light Art Park, the event’s light art program under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi. The program will bring together notable works from Japan and abroad, including a new installation by Yoichi Ochiai, the Japan debut of GAIA, and legacy works from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Viewing Area Advance Registration Now Open via official website!
Official Ambassador
The Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of actor Tao Tsuchiya as the official ambassador for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. Widely supported across generations and known for continually taking on new creative challenges, Ms. Tsuchiya will help promote the event and will also appear at the Grand Finale on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Comment from Tao Tsuchiya: “My first encounter with TOKYO LIGHTS was in 2022. I was deeply moved by the experience, which felt as though I had traveled into another world, and since then my family and I have visited every year. It is a great honor to now take on the role of ambassador. Projection mapping and light art connect people and connect generations and perhaps may even connect us to the universe. I believe they hold limitless possibilities. I hope to share this experience with many people at the venue.”
Born in Tokyo on February 3, 1995, Tao Tsuchiya made her film debut in Tokyo Sonata (2008) and rose to national prominence after being cast as the heroine of NHK’s morning drama series Mare (2015). Since then, she has built a wide-ranging career across film, television, stage, and animation, with more than 37 starring works as of 2026. Recognized for her solid acting ability, she has received the Newcomer of the Year Award at the 39th Japan Academy Awards, the Award for Excellent Actress in a Leading Role at the 41st Japan Academy Awards, and the Award for Excellent Actress in a Supporting Role at the 48th Japan Academy Awards. She is also widely praised for her dance and action performances, which draw on her strong physical abilities. In recent years, she has actively taken on new creative challenges in scriptwriting, planning, directing, and music, and incorporated projection mapping into a staged reading of her original script. Her upcoming releases include Matching TRUE LOVE (autumn) and SUKIYAKI Ue o Muite Aruko (December 25). She is currently appearing in TV Asahi’s Borderless: Wide Area Mobile Investigation Unit.
Five Themes of VISIBLE TOKYO
Under the concept of VISIBLE TOKYO, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 presents five themes through which visitors can experience the city in light: Visible CITY, Visible NATURE, Visible HEART, Visible CONNECTION, and Visible IMAGINATION. Through these themes, the event seeks to visualize the many elements that shape Tokyo—its urban landscape, nature, emotions, human connections, and creativity—through the shared language of light.
Visible CITY expresses Tokyo itself through light, including the flow of the city, traffic, signs of human presence, and data.
Visible NATURE presents installations that evoke the breath of nature and the subtle movements of life.
Visible HEART features artworks that project emotions, memories, and lingering traces of feeling as light.
Visible CONNECTION explores interfaces of light linking the city and nature, and people and the city.
Visible IMAGINATION offers participatory and immersive expressions designed to stimulate creativity and inspiration.
Light Art Park
For a limited period, Light Art Park will transform Shinjuku Chuo Park into an immersive environment of light art. Under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi, who has led numerous international events and large-scale festivals including Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, artists from Japan and overseas will depict the “invisible Tokyo” through light.
Light Art Park is organized around four themes—Visible CITY, Visible NATURE, Visible HEART, and Visible CONNECTION. Throughout the venue, visitors will encounter works that give physical form to these themes, allowing them to experience the world of VISIBLE TOKYO as they walk through the park.
Featured 5 Works
GAIA / Visible HEART / Lawn Area (East) / Luke Jerram / United Kingdom
Courtesy of Light Art Collection
Making its highly anticipated Japan debut—an immersive experience of viewing Earth from space
Created by Luke Jerram, known for works that cross artistic disciplines, GAIA is a monumental Earth installation at seven meters in diameter. Produced using high-resolution NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, the work offers an immersive experience akin to viewing the planet from space. The installation will make its Japan debut at TOKYO LIGHTS 2026.
Embrace / Visible CITY / Fun More Time Hiroba / Beamhacker / Australia
Human connection expands outward as ripples of light
This participatory installation by Beamhacker, known for interactive works combining light and mirrors, invites visitors to join hands with the human-shaped silhouettes arranged around the piece. As they do so, ripples of light spread outward in a chain reaction, and the installation becomes increasingly dynamic through communication and cooperation among participants.
Liquid Universe: Sōbō Chūfu — An Unclassifiable Entomologia of the Luminous Swarm / Visible CONNECTION / Chobo-no-Mori / Yoichi Ochiai / Japan
A new installation by Yoichi Ochiai, where the lights of nature and the city intersect.
Created for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 by Yoichi Ochiai, this new installation brings together different forms of light found in nature and in the city—such as fireflies, bioluminescent organisms, and LEDs—within a four-meter pillar of light. Amid imagery continuously generated by computational nature, the work invites visitors to reconsider the boundary between the natural and the artificial.
Visible TOWER / Visible CITY / Fun More Time Hiroba / V_T / Japan
This tower-shaped installation visualizes the memories and everyday activities of people passing through the city as “memories of light.” During the day, it reflects the surrounding urban landscape and its visitors like a mirror; at night, AI-generated collages of the city’s memories appear on an LED display. Visitors may also walk through the sculpture itself and experience these “memories of light” at close range. V_T：YAMACHANG / Kenji Kohashi / Naoya Murayama
INTER-WORLD/Cocooner: Apparent motion of celestial bodies / Visible NATURE / Hana-no-Mori / Akihito Okunaka / Japan A legacy work from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai that evokes the cycles of nature
This experiential work was exhibited as an official program of Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025 at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Through a soft sculptural form that amplifies natural phenomena created by the interaction of air, water, and sunlight, the work encourages visitors to reflect on how human beings are connected to the world. Visitors are invited to step inside and experience being enveloped by cocoons of changing light.
Additional Works and Open Call Program
In addition to the featured works above, Light Art Park will include a range of other installations, including Seeds of Light— Egg of Hope, first exhibited at Burning Man in the Nevada desert in the United States; Photosynthesis, in which FLIGHTGRAF, a headliner at one of Europe’s leading light festivals, depicts the breathing cycle of plants; and TOKYO Hyakka Ryōran, which likens Tokyo’s individuality to a giant blooming flower. Throughout the venue, visitors will encounter light-based expressions that resonate with both the city and nature.
As opportunities to present light art in public spaces in Japan remain limited, the event has also held an open call and will exhibit works by emerging artists and students selected through the screening process. Through these efforts, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 aims to help foster a new generation of artists and creators working in light-based expression.
1minute Projection Mapping Competition
The 1minute Projection Mapping Competition is one of the world’s most established and prestigious international projection mapping competitions, originating in Japan since 2012. Each year, creators compete for top honors with works running from one minute to one minute fifty-nine seconds. Bringing together leading creators from around the world as well as rising young talent, the competition offers a unique opportunity in Japan to experience a wide range of highly accomplished and distinctive works in one place.
The competition invited entries under the theme “Dialogue”. A total of 412 entries were received from 65 countries and regions around the world. Finalists selected from among these entries will compete for the Grand Prix.
Jury Member and Invited Artist
Ouchhh / Digital Media Artist / Turkey
Kentaro Tanaka / Video Creator / Graphic Designer (Winner of the previous competition) / Japan
MCs for the International Competition Awards Ceremony
Tetsuya Bessho / Actor; Representative of Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
TOKYO LIGHTS is a festival of light born in 2021 that illuminates Tokyo’s nights. Centered on an international projection mapping competition featuring creators from around the world and experiential entertainment that fuses light, art, and technology, the event sends a message of creativity and hope toward the future.
Event Title: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026
Venues: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Tokyo Citizen’s Plaza
(2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023) Shinjuku Chuo Park
(2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Dates (scheduled): Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
1minute Projection Mapping Competition
Screenings: Saturday, May 23; Sunday, May 24; and Sunday, May 31, 2026
Screenings / Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Light Art Park Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
Grand Finale Sunday, May 31, 2026
Organizer: Projection Mapping International Award TOKYO Executive Committee
Churches and missions across the continent continue local initiatives in drug prevention, human rights education, moral education and volunteer service, linking social betterment work with European principles of dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — 30 April 2026 — Scientologists, churches and missions across Europe are continuing a wide range of community-based initiatives that contribute to public life through education, prevention and practical service. From drug-prevention campaigns and human rights education to volunteer assistance and neighbourhood-level projects, these activities reflect a longstanding commitment by Scientology communities to civic responsibility and to values widely recognised across the European project.
The activities are carried out by Church of Scientology churches, missions and groups in Europe, as well as by individual Scientologists and volunteers in cities and towns throughout the continent. While each initiative responds to local circumstances, they share a common purpose: helping people understand their rights, make informed choices, strengthen ethical responsibility and support their communities.
Europe’s founding values, expressed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, include respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights. Scientology communities in Europe see these principles not as abstract concepts, but as responsibilities that can be reflected in daily social action, community education and practical help.
This approach has also been reinforced through the Church’s educational initiative “Europe’s Values, Your Rights”, a plain-language campaign presented by the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights. The initiative explains key European protections, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, using official EU and Council of Europe sources. Its purpose is educational: to help young adults and the wider public better understand the rights and civic principles that shape democratic life in Europe.
Among the best-known social betterment initiatives supported by Scientologists is Foundation for a Drug-Free World, whose “Truth About Drugs” materials are used by volunteers and community groups to provide factual information on drugs and their consequences. Across Europe, these activities have included awareness events, booklet distribution, school and neighbourhood outreach, and cooperation with local associations seeking to strengthen prevention among young people and families.
Another major area of work is human rights education. Through Youth for Human Rights and related educational activities, Scientology-supported volunteers promote awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly among young people. The programme seeks to make human rights understandable in practical terms, encouraging respect for others, rejection of discrimination and recognition of the dignity of every person.
The Church’s social betterment work also includes The Way to Happiness, a non-religious moral education guide written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Used in community settings by volunteers and partner groups, it presents common-sense principles such as respecting others, safeguarding children, being trustworthy and seeking to live honestly. In European contexts, these activities are often presented as contributions to social cohesion, personal responsibility and peaceful coexistence.
Volunteer Ministers, another international humanitarian programme inspired by L. Ron Hubbard’s writings, have also been active in Europe in response to community needs. Their activities have included assistance during emergencies, support for local clean-up efforts, logistical help at community events and practical aid where requested. The programme is based on the idea that individuals can be trained to offer help in moments of confusion, stress or difficulty.
Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, said the work reflects a practical understanding of European civic life.
“European values are strengthened when citizens take responsibility for the wellbeing of their communities,” said Arjona. “For Scientologists, respect for human dignity, freedom of conscience, education and service are not slogans. They are principles that should be visible in neighbourhoods, schools, families and public spaces. Our churches and missions work to contribute to that shared civic culture through prevention, human rights education and practical help.”
The Church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 20th century and has developed a range of humanitarian and social betterment initiatives that are today carried out by Scientologists and affiliated groups in many countries. In Europe, these initiatives are adapted to local needs and legal frameworks, while remaining connected to broader international campaigns in drug prevention, human rights awareness, literacy, moral education and volunteer service.
Church representatives present these activities as contributions to the wider fabric of community life, where religious and non-religious actors alike can support public welfare within democratic societies. The initiatives are not intended to replace the role of public institutions, civil society organisations or families, but to add practical support through voluntary action and education.
Across Europe, churches and missions have increasingly worked in local settings where cooperation, dialogue and practical service are essential. In some places, volunteers support youth education; in others, they take part in neighbourhood-level prevention campaigns, interfaith initiatives, cultural events or emergency assistance. The common thread is the view that freedom of religion or belief carries with it a responsibility to contribute constructively to society.
This approach also reflects the European understanding that pluralism is not limited to tolerance, but includes the active participation of diverse communities in public life. Scientologists, like members of other religious and philosophical traditions, contribute to that pluralism through their own beliefs, institutions and voluntary activities.
Arjona added that European democracy benefits when communities are judged by their actions and their contribution to the common good.
“In Europe, freedom of religion or belief is inseparable from respect for others,” he said. “Our experience is that communities become stronger when people are educated, when young people are helped to avoid drugs, when human rights are understood, and when citizens are encouraged to take responsibility for their environment and for one another.”
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.
Media Contact
Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights
