Grand Opening of Biggest-Ever British Festival of Arts and Creative Industries in China

By staff reporter ZHANG HUI

May 17 saw a distinguished gathering at the British ambassador's residence in Beijing to celebrate the launch of the UK NOW Festival—the biggest celebration ever in China of British arts and creative industries—which will stage hundreds of headline events, including exhibitions and concerts and representing all art forms, from April to November 2012 throughout 17 Chinese cities.

Guests at this garden banquet with live music performances included Jeremy Browne, British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sebastian Wood, Britain's ambassador to China, CEOs of several well-known Britain-based corporations in China and art and media workers.

Jeremy Browne stated that UK NOW promises to be a vibrant, dynamic festival. He went on to say that British people learned much about China and Chinese culture from the program China Now during the 2008 Beijing Olympics period, and expressed hope that UK NOW will equally acquaint the Chinese public with British culture and bring them as much enjoyment throughout the London Olympics.

Popular, multi-awarded British DJ and radio presenter of the global radio show The Selector Goldierocks (Samantha Louise Hall) was a special guest at the party. Her musical showcase included an exciting live blend of classical, jazz and popular music with street art, so signifying the diversity of the UK NOW festival that includes her performance tour in June of six cities in China.

Leigh Gibson, Director of the UK NOW Festival, spoke to China Today of the many commonalities that China and Britain share, such as their long histories and diversified cultures, which make it easier for their peoples to understand one another. She expressed hope that Chinese people would find inspiration in the diversified activities of UK NOW, but that most all everyone would enjoy the festival. Gibson is convinced that UK NOW will greatly enhance mutual understanding and trust among the peoples of China and Great Britain.

Dozens of events during the first two months of UK NOW captivated audiences in 17 cities. They included visual arts displays, films, and classical music and dance performances. Highlights so far include an exhibition by Turner Prize winning sculptor Tony Cragg, a double bill from Candoco, the top UK professional dance company that includes disabled and able-bodied dancers, and a selection of critics' favorites from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. UK NOW also staged in Beijing the Menuhin Competition classical concerts—the world's leading international competition for young violinists—marking its first performance in China.

The line-up for the months ahead promises an equally exciting scope of events. It includes exhibitions by top architect Richard Rogers, shows by fashion photographers Rankin and Mario Testino, a joint ceramics exhibition by the British Museum, the V&A and National Museum of China, the international Olympics Big Dance, tours by young British bands, and an exhibition of iconic British rock photography.

Organized by the British Council (which operates in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy) the Festival, with its projects from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, gives a sense of the breadth of creative Britain. Presenting a spectrum of events from the traditional to the cutting edge, UK NOW highlights how the UK's rich heritage and cultural diversity can inspire innovation.