Like other countries around the world, Japan is facing the unprecedented health crisis triggered by the spread of the COVID-19. It’s been several months since Bulgari has deployed actions to support healthcare workers, including donations to hospitals in Italy and production of hydroalcoholic gel in Italy, Switzerland and the UK. The Maison has naturally engaged in solidarity initiatives in Japan too, where it has long been established.
For several weeks Bulgari has organised delivery of Japanese bento lunch boxes for healthcare staff at several Tokyo hospitals as part of the Lunch Box Project. Prepared by Italian chef Luca Fantin, chef at the Bvlgari Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin in Tokyo’s Ginza district, the bento boxes provide hospital staff with welcome respite and a taste of Bulgari’s home country, Italy.
“We want to show our respect and gratitude to all the medical personnel who go above and beyond their job responsibilities and continue their enormous efforts at the forefront in fighting this pandemic, to protect lives,” said Luca Fantin. Several hundred bento boxes have already been distributed, including to staff at the Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine.
In addition, Bulgari reached out to its Japanese community with a special “Conversations for Hope” programme on its YouTube channel. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari, said : “At Bulgari, we feel it is important to inspire optimism during these difficult times, when we are all impacted by COVID-19, during the lockdown and sometimes knowing someone infected by this terrible virus. We sincerely thank the great speakers for their messages of hope and for inviting us to think and talk about a sense of purpose and things really matter most in life.” Hosted by novelist Mieko Kawakami, the “Conversations for Hope” welcomed personalities such as Kabuki actor and Living National Treasure Tamasaburo Bando, actress Koyuki and film director Naomi Kawase.
Finally, MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo K.K., Japan made a donation to the Smile Food Project to support chefs’ and restaurants’ actions. The project organises preparation of meals by professional chefs for medical personnel in hospitals.