Chinese Culture to be Presented to the European Public
By admin on 2014-12-22

   The organizer of Europalia art festival said here on Sunday that the aim of this year's festival is to present the Chinese culture to the European public and make Chinese culture understandable for them.

    Kristine De Mulder, general manager of Europalia, said during an interview with Xinhua, that the year 2009 is the 40th anniversary of Europalia and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, "there was no better choice for Europalia to present the culture of such an unbelievable country of China, such an enormous and rich culture."

    "We have a lot to learn from China and vice versa," De Mulder said, noting that "cultural exchanges and cultural dialogues can make very important contribution to a better world and a better life."

    The Europalia Chinese Art Festival is the biggest cultural event that China has organized abroad with other countries in recent years after the Sino-French Culture Year in 2003, the general manager pointed out, adding this year's event is also one of the biggest for Europalia since 1969.

    The festival is to present quite diversified aspects of the Chinese culture, she said, noting that besides the 50 exhibitions presenting art pieces from blockbuster museums, there are also smaller exhibitions on very specialized themes, for instance travel books, puppet shows and the Chinese new year.

    "We organized in four different themes, which will not only show the historic part of China but also reflects what happens in the fields of arts and music in contemporary China," she said.

    According to the organizer, the Europalia Chinese Art Festival will last four months from October 8, 2009 to February 14, 2010, closing with the Chinese New Year celebration. About 50 exhibitions and 450 events will be held in more than 70 cities in Belgium and four neighbouring countries, namely the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany. The exhibitions and art performances will follow four main themes: Immortal China, Contemporary China, Colorful China and China and the World.

    In China, 19 provinces, cities and independent regions, 58 museums, libraries, archeological institutes and numerous public and private cultural institutions have contributed to the organization of the festival.

    Talking of cooperation with the Chinese partners, De Mulder said: "Organizing such a difficult, complicated and immense festival, bringing together 50 exhibitions and 450 events, there are inevitably difficulties."

    But, the general manager said, "there was very hard working in China and in Belgium. We have a beautiful time working together."

    "From this dialogue between the two cultures, something new can come up," she said.

    Europalia was established in Brusses in 1969. It aimed at highlighting the culture of member states of the Euroepean Community, by organizing festivals of art and culture in the heart of Europe. In 1989, Europalia opened itself to Japan and in 1993, Mexico became the guest country. Russia was given the center stage in 2005.