2019 NZ China Youth Art Exhibition Christchurch

晴阳 Yang Qin Zhou

NZ Hubei Economy Trade Culture Association (short for NZ HB ETC) and Hubei Provincial People's Foreign Friendship Association organized this exhibition alongside with Wuhan City People's Foreign Friendly Association, Hubei Provincial Foreign Service Centre to exhibit outstanding artworks selected from some schools in Christchurch and a youth art competition in Wuhan China. <h1>Background</h1>Christchurch and Wuhan became sister cities since 2006. Since then, official and civil of the two cities had frequent mutual visits, exchanges, co-operation and joint ventures in the fields of science and technology, culture, education, sports, and tourism which have promoted the economy and trade. <h1></h1><h1>The theme is My Hometown.</h1>The exhibition opened on 13th August 2019. The exhibition aims to develop sister cities friendships from a young age. We appreciate the support from Christchurch City Council, Consulate-General of PR of China in Christchurch, New Zealand National Culture Development Center, Christchurch Chinese Sister Cities Committee, New Zealand China Friendship Society (Christchurch) and other supporting organizations including friends of NZ and China. Youth art album of 2019 NZ China Youth Art Exhibition and Culture Exchange was published for the exhibition. The calligraphy on the cover was written by Dr Gong Qin, the event planner, deputy president of NZ HB ETC. A message from Andrew Turner, deputy mayor of Christchurch for the youth art album of 2019 NZ China Youth Art Exhibition and Culture exchange. The Preface for the art album by Dr Gong Qin, the event planner, deputy president of NZ HB ETC. A message for the art album by Mr Jianming Wu the president of Hubei Provincial People's Foreign Friendship Association. To readers in the art album by Dr Yafei Zhou, the president of NZ HB ETC, member of Christchurch Sister Cities Committee. The opening ceremony of 2019 NZ China Youth Art Exhibition and Culture Exchange was held on 13th August 2019 in Christchurch City Council function room. Welcome by Maori performers Powerfull Maori Haka Hongi is the traditional Māori greeting Andrew Turner (right), deputy mayor of Christchurch.Dr Yafei Zhou (left), President of NZ HB ETC, member of Christchurch Sister Cities Committee. LiYin Cai, originally come from Wuhan Hubei was the MC of the opening ceremony, Traditional Maori performance. Tihi (left 2) a Pride NZ award winner, Maori teacher, a performer told the story of 10 years friendship with Chinese through Yang, Dr Yafei Zhou, and Dr Gong Qin. Yang Zhou, deputy president of NZ HB ETC briefly told stories of Maori performers were invited to XiAn and Wuhan had Culture Exchange, worked with Chinese friendly at various events over the last 10 years. One of the photos of 2010.The former mayor of Christchurch Sir Bob Parker and mayoress (middle), Dr Yafei Zhou (the second row left 2). Tihi (second row right 2) Yang Zhou (first row right), Dr Gong Qin (second row right). Watched photo slideshow of Maori and Chinese had worked together at various events over the last 10 years. 120 attendees were happily gotten together. Welcome remark by Dr Yafei Zhou. Attendees include: Mrs Candy Wu Zhang (front row right 3), a senior adviser of the Office of Ethnic Communities, Christchurch city council civic and international relations officer Jack Chaney, the leaders and representatives of NZ HB ETC, Christchurch China sister city committee, Christchurch China friendship association, Canterbury Chinese association, and other Chinese associations, local school principals, teachers, parents, artists, young painters. Mr Andrew Turner, deputy mayor of Christchurch made a speech. He said children are our future, we wish Wuhan and Christchurch friendship pass on to the next generation. Mrs Xuejun Xing, consul of the Chinese consulate general in Christchurch made a warm speech. Christchurch young artists, parents, and teachers attend the opening ceremony. Mr Tao Wang, deputy director of Hubei Provincial Foreign Service Centre, on behalf of Hubei Provincial People's Foreign Friendship Association, delivered a speech. Souvenir exchanged by two sister cities representatives. Ribbon cutting ceremony 2019 NZ China Youth Art Exhibition and Culture Exchange are formally opened in Christchurch. Led by Tihi. Song together. May friendship long last! Performers: Christchurch Rangi Ruru Girls’ School 16~17 years old Ruby Lee and Olivia Yankov-Reid. The first prize was drawn by Kate Rivers (right), Head of Learning Area (Visual Arts), Rangiruru Girl's School. Second prize was drawn by FuTang Chen (right), an artist, and an art teacher. The lucky winner (left) of the second prize. Third prize was drawn by Sarah Turpin (left) an art teacher, Breens Intermediate School. I got a prize! A lucky young artist won the third prize Performed by Christchurch Middleton Grange School young artists who presented their artworks at this exhibition. JANE WU 9 YEARS OLD, ESTHER LIN 10 YEAR OLD. Wendy Zhang (right), president of Christchurch ZhongHua Society won the third prize. Another young Chinese Kiwi artist won the third prize Performed by a Christchurch Breens Intermediate School 11 years old artist Seika Harada who presented their artwork at the exhibition. Jack Chaney (left), Christchurch city council civic and international relations officer. Michelle McWilliams (left), Vice Chairmen of Christchurch-China sister city committee Dr Gong Qin (right), the event planner, deputy president of NZ HB ETC The young Christchurch Chinese Kiwi artists who presented their artworks to this exhibition, the youngest is only 6~7 years old.Bing Hong (left), one of the event supporter of ROBAM Appliance was delighted to meet the talent children. Dr Gong Qin (left), the event planner, deputy president of NZ HB ETCMr Tao Wang (right), deputy director of Hubei Provincial Foreign Service Centre, a representative of Hubei Provincial People's Foreign Friendship Association Happily met the talent local children, who presented their excellent artworks in this exhibition. Enjoy outstanding arts. May friendship forever! This Exhibition set up a platform for the cultural exchange, to develop their imagination, inspire their creative talents, express their patriotic and hometown affection. The young artists aged from 6 to 17. Art has no boundaries; childhood pleasure is priceless. Children are the continuation of culture, the hope for the future and the most valuable assets of our two countries. Children have innocent but fearless minds, original perspectives, pure and kind hearts, and amazing imagination and creativity. They express their observation and feelings with their works and contribute to the friendship and cultural exchanges between our two countries. Thumb up for kids! A hundred artworks were exhibited, drawn a lot of interests from Christchurch citizen. <a href="https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/show/2833" target="_blank" class="link"> Click the link to see an ad about this exhibition</a> <h1> </h1> <h1>Report by New Zealand Hubei Economy Trade Culture Association (NZ HB ETC) Photographic by JianQang Weng, David Stringer, Matt Mckenna, XiaoMing Zhao and other friends</h1> Contact nz.hb.etc@gmail.com for purchasing the painting album <a href="http://www.nz-hb-etc.nz" target="_blank" class="link"> Click link to visit NZ HB ETC website</a>