Events organised by the Press and Communication Office in Beijing - 2009
December 18, Give a Christmas hope to the future - The Press & Communication Office in Beijing offers Christmas gifts to migrant school
The gifts offer to the chinese school for immigrants “Xinli” from the Press & Communication Office in Beijing was welcomed with huge smiles by the 1.200 students. In the spirit of Christmas and in response to the invitation of the chinese media organization "The Global Times" to participate in the charity event "Give a Christmas hope to the future", the Beijing Press Office participated actively, along with other donors, offering books and pencils.
The school “Xinli” is located in the eastern suburbs of Beijing and its students are members of chinese families who have migrated to Beijing from other chinese provinces. Although the Xinli is situated next to CBD, the economic, media and business center of Beijing, which was built by the hands of immigrants, the conditions in the school don’t match with those of the wider district. The complete lack of heating during the cold Beijing winter, the broken windows, the lack of lighting and the poor hygiene conditions do not constitute the appropriate conditions for education.
In this context, the gifts offer from the Press & Communication Office in Beijing was welcomed with joy and pleasure by the students and it was greeted by the chinese media.
October 26, 2009 - "Greece – China: a bridge between two ancient civilizations"
On the occasion of celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China along with the Greek National Day of Octοber 28th, the Press and Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing presented in a brilliant opening ceremony, attended by many high – rank Chinese officials, diplomats, journalists and members of Beijing high – society, Yannis Marinoglou photo exhibition on canvas, entitled “Greece – China: a bridge between two ancient civilizations” at “A R G O” Greek gallery-restaurant in Beijing, on Monday, October 26th, 2009.
The exhibition was inaugurated by H.E.
Vice Minister Mr. Wu Shulin of P.R.C. General Administration of Press and Publication and H.E. The Ambassador
of Greece in China Mr. Theodore Georgakelos.
During the opening evening, the Press and Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing offered to the headquarters of The General Administration of Press and Publication of People’s Republic of China one of those paintings, like a gift of appreciation and respect for the Chinese 60th anniversary.
Additionally, painted photos were donated to two Greek institutions in Beijing, namely “Center for Hellenic Studies of Peking University”, and the “Greek Department of Beijing Foreign Studies University”, so as to demonstrate Greece’s support to the enhancement of Greek studies in China.
The artist and his work
Yannis Marinoglou, an artist photographer, with his conception open to a vision and with his special technique, transfers on canvas with color the pictures taken with his camera and creates imaginary moments, as the Chinese dragon meets the ideals of ancient Greek world on a journey along the friendship bridge of the two ancient civilizations.
The Chinese Press welcomed the exhibition with very good comments. China Daily newspaper publishes the photo of one of the most characteristic pieces, while the webpage www.china.com.cn refers to the vernissage and to the exhibition. Besides, an interview of Yiannis Marinoglou has been published on monthly cultural magazine Civilization.
October 17, 2009 - "A Greek noon in Beijing"
It was an authentic Greek noon in Beijing, matching all the expectations of the Press & Communication Office of the Greek Embassy, who organized the event in the high level “Summit Club” of Beijing, on Saturday, October 17th, 2009, along with the Commercial – Trade Department and the Cultural Department of the Embassy.
More than 100 Chinese businessmen, foreign entrepreneurs,
diplomats and opinion makers attended the presentation by the Commercial and Trade Department of the
Greek Embassy, concerning the achievements of Greece in the field of Economy and the investment perspectives,
along with the presentation by the Press & Communication Office, concerning the enhancement of bilateral
political, cultural and tourism relations, and the new strategy suggested by the newly elected Greek
government, aiming at the resetting of Greece in the international scene, while at the same time revisioning
the Greek stereotypes overseas.
The presentations were followed by traditional Greek lunch, wine and ouzo tasting, deriving from the rich Greek variety and production, while the incessant participation of a Chinese dance – band along with Chinese students – dancers tempted the guests to an original Greek festivity.
September 12, 2009 - “Love knows no borders” - Charity bazaar in Beijing
“Love knows no borders” was the main idea of the charity sale at Beijing’s Olympic Green, on Saturday, September 12th 2009, to aid children in Yunnan Province.
Press and Communication Office of Greece in Beijing responded with great interest to the initiative of Ms Le Aimei, Chinese Honorary Ambassador for poverty alleviation, and wife of Foreign Minister, Mr Yang Jiechi, and started preparing its participation to the event since July, assisted by the Services Abroad Directorate of the General Secretariat for Information.
The items offered by the Press and Communication Office to the Greek pavilion were chosen in order to present aspects of the ancient Greek civilization and the modern art creation, as well. Copies of exhibits from Greek Museums, jewels and every – day – use objects, inspired by exhibits and adapted to modern forms, attracted the visitors of the event, who showed one more time their interest for Greece and preferred the items of the Greek pavilion.
June 18, 2009 - Beijing Celebrates the Inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum
“June 20th, 2009: A New Museum for the Parthenon Marbles”.
Under this title, Beijing celebrated on June 18th, during an extravagant fiesta, that took
place in the Beijing “International Club”, the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum.
The event, organized by the Press and Communication Office of the Greek Embassy in Beijing, was attended by officials of the Government of People’s Republic of China in charge of media affairs, officials of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of the Ministry of Culture, intellectuals, officials of SARFT (State Administration of Radio, Film & Television), EU Press Counselors, journalists of major Chinese media, and the Head of All – China Journalists’ Association, as well.
Guests received folders that had been especially designed on this occasion, along with a DVD on the New Acropolis Museum, produced by the Secretariat General for Information, and other informative material, as well. The folders were decorated with photos of the Parthenon and the Marbles. A text, written by the Secretary General for Information, Mr Panos Livadas, especially on the occasion, was also distributed to guests and media representatives.
The unrivalled uniqueness of Parthenon amply demonstrates why the Chinese public opinion strongly supports the Greek request for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to their site of origin, with arguments referring to the return of Chinese stolen antiquities and underlying the fact that cultural rights as well as global cultural heritage should be properly protected.
May 23-24, 2009 - Greece participates in Beijing’s EU Cultural Extravaganza
Greece was among the EU countries which participated
in the EU Extravaganza scheduled to showcase the highlights
of the region’s culture at Beijing’s Chaoyang Park, May
23-24. Based on the motto “United in Diversity", the event aimed
at bringing together principal cultural facets of the 27 member states and presenting the Chinese visitors
with the unique cultural diversity, variety of food, drink, etc. of the European continent. Chaoyang
park is part of Beijing’s biggest administrative district where most of the sport and cultural activities
of the XXIX Beijing Games took place.
A highlight of Greece’s participation, at the country’s
own pavilion, was the presentation, by the Greek Embassy’s Press & Communication
Office, of an informative CD on the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum in Athens
on June 20. Besides, Greece’s Press Office provided interested visitors with relevant printed information
including a Press Release presenting a recent interview of Sec. Gen. Of Information Panos Livadas on
the significance of the opening of the new Acropolis Museum. A Press Release on Greece – EU relations,
referring to the recent celebratory event at Zappeion Mansion in the centre of Athens, where the
signing ceremony of Greece’s accession to the European Economic Community took place 30 years ago, was
also handed to hundreds of Chinese and foreign visitors.
The Embassy of Greece Cultural Section and the GNTO Office in Beijing also provided the Chinese visitors with information about Greece’s cultural history and tourism destinations. The Greek-owned restaurant “Tastes of Greece / Xila Meiwei” participated in the “Gastronomy Street” that was specially designated to offer visitors a culinary taste of Europe’s diversified delicacies.
April 14, 2009 - Greece supports Museum of Chinese Women; presents work of ancient Greek art
The Greek Ministry of Culture
donated to the Museum of Chinese Women and Children, the
only national museum on women and children in China, founded by All-China Women’s Federation,
a replica of an ancient marble Greek statue, in a ceremony that took place
on Tuesday, April 14, under the auspices of His Excellency, the Ambassador of Greece in People’s Republic
of China, Mr. Theodore Georgakelos. Foreign diplomats and members of the cultural and social life of
Beijing honored the ceremony.
The aim of the Museum is the promotion of development, friendship and cooperation among nations.
To underline this aim and to honor the Museum, the Greek Ministry of Culture chose a statue named Peplophoros or Peplos Kore, one of the finest Archaic korai to be dedicated to the goddess Athena. The original statue belongs to the Acropolis Museum. The statue will be displayed in the International Friendship Hall of the Museum among other statues donated by other countries.
Brief description of the statue
Peplophoros wears the heavy Doric peplos, hence her name. The young woman is portrayed frontally, her right arm stretched against her side, while the left hand, which was made together with the forearm from a separate piece of marble, probably held an offering. Her short peplos is fastened over both shoulders; it forms a simple fold along the neckline and was richly decorated with painted ornaments.
This kore's radiant face is highlighted with red paint on the eyes and lips, and her long locks, painted in the same colour, were adorned with metal ornaments, which are now missing. She is the work of the same unidentified artist who created the 'Rampin Horseman' and a few other sculptures found on the Acropolis. (photos by Ioannis Marinoglou).
March 25, 2009 - Greece’s National Day celebrated in Beijing; reception held by the Embassy of Greece
On the occasion of the 188th anniversary
of the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 on March 25, which marks the
National Day of the Hellenic Republic, the Ambassador of Greece Mr. Theodoros Georgakelos hosted a
reception in Beijing in the evening of the same day.
The reception was attended by numerous representatives of China’s political, administrative, entrepreneurial and cultural elites. Mr. Wu Hongbo, Assistant Foreign Secretary of China’s Foreign Ministry attended the event. Representatives of major mass media organizations of the host country covered the event.
While addressing CCTV and other journalists, Amb. Georgakelos noted the following: “Today is a special day of pride for our country, for it’s our National Day. On this occasion, I would like to note that the relations with our host country, the PRC, have reached an excellent level and will try to improve them even more. I believe that in this rather difficult situation, during the international financial crisis, there are many opportunities to strengthen even more our relations and come towards the end of the crisis even stronger!”
January 26-31, 2009 - Greece celebrates the Chinese New Year at Chaoyang International Spring Carnival
The 2009 Beijing Chaoyang International
Spring Carnival will be held from 26th January to 31st January 2009 in Chaoyang Park
to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year. Upon an invitation from the organizing Committee,
a large delegation of dancers from Greece, the renowned Greek traditional
dancing group known as "Makistos" from the Municipality of Kireos in Euboia
(Evia), will participate in the festivities with a series of performances aiming at
acquainting the visitors with the arts, dances and warmth of Greece.
A Greek stand at the event will treat all visitors with Greek gifts, delicacies and other famed products --made from olive oil, among others-- representing the Island of Evia. The stand will also include brochures addressed to Chinese tour operators and the Chinese public throughout the entire festival; the Greek delegation from Evia would greatly appreciate the attendance of Beijing’s tour operators who deal with Greece and who may also wish to learn of Evia as a new destination.
In addition, representatives from local organizations of the island of Euboia and other guests, including the president of the Federation of Reporters of the Greek District Press, will attend the celebrations. The Greek representatives will present Chinese organizers with commemorative gifts.
Diplomats from the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, including representatives of the Press & Communication Office and the Greek National Tourism Organization Office in Beijing will be attending the opening ceremony on Monday January 26, 10:00 a.m.
A press conference in order to present Greece’s participation to the Chinese New Year celebrations will be held in the morning of the opening day at the stand area of the Greek delegation. (Photo: I. Marinoglou).
