Cultural exchange to China to develop further
Last updated | 22/02/2008
Perth & Kinross Council's cultural connections with China could be further developed if a report to the next Lifelong Learning Committee is approved.
The Council's Education & Children's Services has already fostered links through its Chinese Culture Project, which has led to visits by officers to China and Mandarin being introduced to the local schools curriculum.
In September 2007, a delegation of artists, the Council's Arts Development and Heritage Managers and representatives of the national arts community visited Hunan Province in China at the invitation of the organisers of the Qi Baishi International Arts Festival. During their visit, the delegation met with arts administrators and artists, held a well-attended exhibition of work by Perth and Kinross artists and delivered workshops and presentations for tutors and students at two university-based art institutes in Hunan Province.
Initial discussions have already taken place about the next phase of the cultural exchange. The Committee will be asked to agree that a delegation from China comes to Perth and Kinross in August 2008, as part of a wider programme of arts activities to bring contemporary Chinese artworks to local audiences of all ages. External sponsorship and support will be sought to cover the majority of costs for the reciprocal visit.
Convener of Lifelong Learning, Councillor Liz Grant said: "The visit by the Perth and Kinross delegation last year was a very fruitful and positive one, and, we believe, the first visit from the Scottish arts community to Hunan Province. We want to develop further the links created between our local artists and their counterparts in China, to mutual benefit. This opportunity also comes at a particularly relevant time when there will be increased international interest in China as Beijing gears up for the Olympic Games later this year."
