Committee Celebrates Chinese New Year with Launch of Chinese Art Exhibition
Synopsis: The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure launched a Chinese art exhibition in Parliament Buildings.
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 30 January 2013
Reference: CAL 02/12/13
The Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure today launched a Chinese art exhibition in Parliament Buildings. The exhibition is a joint venture between the Committee and the Confucius Institute at the University of Ulster to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year (10 February 2013).
Guests at the event included the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA, MLAs, Acting Consul General for People's Republic of China, Madam Ma Dayun, the original Chinese artists, representatives from the Chinese Welfare Association, University of Ulster, NI Council for Ethnic Minorities and the Arts Council.
Committee Chairperson, Michelle McIlveen MLA said: "The Committee is delighted to have hosted this event at Parliament Buildings to showcase some wonderful examples of original Chinese traditional painting. Over the past number of years, the Assembly as a whole has been working hard to develop relationships and links with China; this is reflected in the support that the Assembly Committees provided for the establishment of Northern Ireland's first Confucius Institute at the University of Ulster."
She concluded: "I take pleasure in seeing the growing bonds of friendship between Northern Ireland and China; part of this is due to a better understanding of each other's language and culture. This beautiful art exhibition allows us to celebrate the Chinese New Year, a special time in the Chinese calendar. It is my hope that celebrations like this will become more common as the people of Northern Ireland come to know our friends and colleagues in China better and we both have more opportunities in the future to enjoy each other's cultures."
ENDS
From L-R: Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA and Acting Consul General for People’s Republic of China, Madam Ma Dayun.
From L-R: Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA; Acting Consul General for People’s Republic of China, Madam Ma Dayun; Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA.
