A new intern, a new outlook. This blog looks forward to some of the cultural exchanges happening across the world.
The China-Latin America and Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange
Next month sees the start of the 2016 China-Latin America and Caribbean Cultural Exchange Year. Kicking off with an opening ceremony at the Beijing Tianqiao Art Center , the event on 25th March will include dance performances by various artists from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Peru.
Zhu Qi, Deputy Director of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations at China’s Ministry of Culture, highlighted the way cultural exchanges can bring together different peoples, deepening their understanding of one another through their mutual love and appreciation of the arts. The year of cultural exchange will continue with monthly events in China and across the Latin America and Caribbean regions. The events will include film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, performances, and exchanges between academic institutions.
‘Come’ and ‘Go’ are initiatives to host parallel arts events in China and Latin America throughout 2016. The first Chinese exhibition to go on tour will be the ancient Terracotta Warriors. The iconic statues will be displayed in various regional museums. Fernando Botero, arguably Latin America’s most famous living artist, has already exhibited in Beijing and his work is currently on display in Shanghai until the 8th of May. Botero’s exhibition will be followed by other master artists from Latin America showcasing their work throughout the year of cultural exchange.
After celebrating Chinese New Year at the Bergara Theater in Chile, China’s Jilin Art Troupe will tour eight cities across Chile to announce the start of the year of cultural exchange. Wearing costumes and showcasing elements of traditional Chinese dance, the troupe will perform to tens of thousands of people across the country, having started at the 23rd International Art Festival in Santiago which took place on the 11th of January.
Renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the ‘Cultural Ambassador of the Latin America Caribbean Year,’ has developed a new repertoire based on the music of Latin American countries and will tour the region. As well as his solo performances, Lang has developed an event called ‘100 plus 1,’ where 100 young Latin American and Caribbean pianists will perform with him. The pianist had this to say about the young musicians: “I’ve been three times to Latin America. They all are born as musical geniuses.”
The China-Latin America and Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange is the natural result of the growing economic relationship between China and Latin American countries. Over the past two decades China has advanced its economic influence in Latin America, largely through the purchase of natural resources as well as investing in major infrastructure projects. One highly ambitious project being discussed is the construction of a railway stretching over 3,000 miles from Brazil to Peru.
Argentinian Ambassador Gustavo A. Martino said: “The timing for the launch of this cultural exchange program could not be better as relations between China and Latin America and Caribbean have been booming over the last years and are the best in our history.”
The China-Latin America and Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange is the greatest cultural exchange between China and Latin American countries since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
The opening ceremony on March 25th will be held at Beijing Tianqiao Art Center. For more information check out the official website of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange 2016.
