Exhibition to further understanding and friendship includes photos, performances, lectures and meetings
The history, traditions and modern accomplishments of Hunan province were presented at a promotional event – called “Culture China – Hunan Culture Enters Germany” – in Dusseldorf, Germany, from Oct 29 to Nov 1.
Culture China is a program developed by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council that aims to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the people of China and citizens of other countries. It enables foreign audience to learn about various aspects of China’s culture, economic and social development.
During the opening ceremony on Oct 29, several Chinese traditional musicians, including erhu player Zhang Yinyue and pipa player Yin Yin, joined forces with German pianist Rainer Granzin to perform famous traditional Chinese music such as Gaoshan Liushui, also known as High Mountain and Flowing Water, and Beethoven’s joyful Moonlight Sonata.
The four-day Hunan-centered event was sponsored by the Information Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Hunan Culture and Tourism Department, the Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Hunan Daily, Hunan Radio and Television Station, Hunan Publishing Investment Holding Group, and Hunan Performing Arts Group.
It is the fifth time Hunan has demonstrated its culture outside China, after previous events were held in Thailand, the United States, France and Finland.
Cai Zhenhong, head of the Publicity Department of Hunan, said the province and Germany both have abundant cultural and spiritual resources, and have both made significant contribution to the world civilization and cultural communications.
“The event will promote cultural communications between Hunan and Germany, promote German friends’ understanding of Hunan and further strengthen friendship and cooperation”, Cai said.
Abundant culture
Hunan province, in Central China, is known for its abundant cultural resources. The region has become a hub for publication and broadcasting industries in China. Hunan Broadcasting System, one of the largest media groups in China, has seen its ranking on the annual China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands list, released by the World Brand Lab, continue to rise over the past decade. In 2018, it ranked 69th on the list, up from 257th in 2016. It also topped the list among all provincial-level satellite television service providers in China.
In addition, China South Publishing & Media Group, headquartered in Hunan’s capital city Changsha, has become one of top 10 publishing business, according to Hunan authority.
During the promotion event, organizers hosted a series of activities including a Hunan cultural exhibition, a photo exhibition, a Hunan tourism promotion conference, a stage performance and lectures on Hunan-styled Kunqu, a kind of traditional Chinese opera.
Locally featured products such as Hunan-styled embroidery, porcelain, tea, films and television, books, paintings crated with sands and stones, jute paintings, embroidery created by Miao ethnic groups and brocade created by Dong ethnic groups were on display.
The exhibition area for Hunan-styled embroidery occupied 330 square meters and a total of 57 works were displayed.
Fang Jing, head of the administrative o6 ce at Hunan Embroidery Research Institute, said that both masterpieces and young artists’ works were displayed during the expo, helping people in Germany appreciate Hunan’s charm and beauty.
Fang said it was the first chance for many in the German audience to learn about Hunan-styled embroidery. They were not only interested in knowing how embroidery was created but also were amazed by the masters’ creativity.
Interaction programs were organized so visitors could better understand Hunan’s culture. Artists such as porcelain master Huang Xiaolin, calligraphy master Hu Zigui and master Liu Jiahao – who is the fourth generation of the Liu family, which specializes in making Changsha Tongguan kilns – were present during the activities.
Long friendship
The friendship between Hunan and Germany can be traced back more than 100 years. According to Hunan’s government, German architect Ernst Boerschmann visited Hunan and took photos about the province’s old architecture, landscapes and people’s everyday life. Those photos are a precious record for researchers interested in exploring Hunan’s history.
Currently, Germany is one of the largest trade partners of Hunan, according to the Hunan government. Many German leading companies, such as Siemens, Bosch and Volkswagen, have launched operations in Hunan. Hunan-based companies such as Sany Heavy Industry and Zoomlion Heavy Industry have open factories in Germany. The cooperation between Germany and Hunan in areas such as tourism, technology and environmental protection has continued to expand and strengthen in the recent years.
Apart from cultural exchanges, several economic talks and cooperation signings also took place during the four-day event.
Hunan Acrobatic Art Theater signed a memorandum of understanding and contracts for circus performances during the Christmas period for this year with Germany’s Chinesischer Nationalcircus. Agreements were also signed to promote tourism cooperation between Hunan and Germany.
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President of Hunan Broadcasting System Lyu Huanbin checks Hunan-styled porcelain before Hunan’s promotional event, named “Culture China – Hunan Culture Enters Germany”, in Dusseldorf. |
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Left: Dusseldorf Mayor Thomas Geisel experiences Chinese calligraphy while visiting the expo. Right: Audience show great interest in Hunan-styled embroidery. Photos Provided to China Daily |
( China Daily European Weekly 11/16/2018 page22)