The China Cultural Center officially opened in Riga on October 22nd, in a ceremony attended by ministers and representatives of the tourism ministries of countries participating in a high-level tourism meeting of China and Central and Eastern European countries (17+1) currently taking place in the Latvian capital.
In the day, Luo Shugang, Chinese minister of Culture and Tourism, and Ralfs Nemiro, Latvia's Economy Minister, jointly unveiled the China Cultural Center. Besides ministers and representatives, nearly one hundred guests of diplomats to Latvia, Latvian governmental officials as well as representatives from all walks of life were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang said that the opening of the center is a significant result of the development of friendly relations between China and Latvia. The minister noted that cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries have become an important area within the framework of "17+1" cooperation. He expressed hope that the participants in the high-level tourism meeting here in Riga will seize the opportunity to expand this cooperation in culture and tourism even further and promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Nemiro pointed out in his speech that culture is inseparable from travel. It is convinced that the cooperation will continue in the future. He wished great success in spreading the knowledge of the rich and unique Chinese culture.
Chinese Ambassador to Latvia Liang Jianquan said that the China Cultural Center in Riga has been active in promoting bilateral cultural exchanges ever since its preparation, and has successfully organized a series of high-quality cultural events which serve as .a window for local residents to have a better understanding of Chinese culture and conduct exchanges.
Zhang Lili, head of the center, said in her speech that the center is responsible for organizing cultural and tourism exchanges not only with Latvia but also with other Baltic countries. By virtue of colourful activities, such as cultural performances and art exhibition, it is expected to help them have a close encounter with China and sample Chinese culture.
At the opening ceremony, the Chinese Feng Mantian String Quartet Band performed Chinese popular songs including My Country and Lan Huahua (a popular folk song of Northwest China), as well as a famous song of Latvia For My Country, with traditional Chinese instruments, such as Zhongruan (a Chinese plucked-string instrument with a history of over 2,000 years), flute and Xiao (a vertical bamboo flute). The guests also visited Chinese painting exhibition themed “Ink Emotion” and viewed calligraphy, Chinese painting presentation and tea ceremony.