Events organised by the Press and Communication Office in Beijing - 2010
Editions – Bridge of Friendship with China
Aiming at regularly covering – in English and in Chinese – the information of Chinese public opinion about Greece, the consistent publishing effort made by the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing consists in the triptych, comprising the biweekly News Review “Newsletter”, the Cultural Review “επιΚοΙνωΝίΑ”, and the presentation of Greece “A Passage to Greece”, and creating a multi-dimensional framework, which combines the current every-day information with the wider depiction of various aspects, characterizing modern Greece.
- Twice a month, Chinese readers find in News Review “Newsletter” information on Politics, Economy and Culture in Greece, so that they can have comprehensive knowledge on issues related to Greece
- Choosing the name “επιΚοΙνωΝίΑ” for the Cultural Review of the Press & Communication Office, we thought that the word game with the letters forming the word “China” in Greek within the Greek word for “communication”, which represents the core of the tasks in the Press & Communication Office, highlights the essence of the effort to communicate with China, and to present to China aspects of a remarkable civilization.
- The “Passage to Greece” is an updated, comprehensive approach to Greece and to its perspective, it is a brief tour in a country and in a civilization, which fascinates Chinese people.
Besides, aiming at exploiting the excellent level of bilateral Sino – Greek relations, and at effectively promoting Greece to the Chinese public, the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing revamped its website www.grpressbeijing.com.
The new website offers:
- Enhanced interactivity between the Embassy of Greece and the Chinese public, and user-friendly environment
- Interactive map picturing the most famous monuments and museums in Greece
- Information on economic, political and cultural Sino – Greek relations
- Calendar of events in Greece and China
- Download library providing material for downloading from the editions of General Secretariat of Information – General Secretariat of Communication
- Communication with the sections of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, and with the Greek consulates in China.
The story goes on. The sequel will be presented in the next editions. The choices are determined by the value of dialogue and by the interaction with Chinese public opinion, an important and demanding audience. Deriving from its knowledge and its admiration for Greek civilization, this audience also expresses strong interest for modern Greece.
These activities have been presented to the opinion makers in Beijing, during a Press Conference, in the headquarters of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing.
December 2nd - ΑTHENAEUM : “Maria Kallas” contest in Beijing
It was with great success that the contest for the pre – selection of Chinese candidates who will participate in the GRAND PRIX OPERA “Maria Kallas” wound up in Beijing. The contest will take place in Athens, in March 2011, organized by the International Cultural Centre ATHENΑEUM.
The Committee of the contest, which comprised Greek and Chinese professors and artists with international career, was confronted with the problem of selection among the 110 high – level young Chinese opera singers, who took part in the contest.
The 10 opera singers, who were finally chosen, and are expected to impress the Athenian Committee in the final contest, received by the ΑTHENAEUM General Secretary, Ms Anna Koukouraki, the invitations to fly to Athens in coming March.
The recital of the 10 young Chinese opera singers, the last night of the contest, confirmed the success of the event, which was admirable in its organizational and artistic aspects, and it offered the prospects for a great future.
The high aesthetics event of Greek interest was organized in the Chinese capital by the National Beijing Conservatory and the “Beijing Music Newspaper”, under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, and the communication support of the Press & Communication Office.
Besides, in the framework of the event, the issue of the collaboration between the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece and the International Cultural Centre ATHENΑEUM, was discussed, and especially, the possibility of organizing in Beijing an exhibition with photos and costumes from important performances of the major Greek opera singer.
November 1st- December 2nd - Greece participates in the 3rd annual European Film Festival in Beijing
The Greek Film “The Chariton’s Choir” was presented with great success for 3 days in 2 central Beijing movies, in the framework of the third annual EU Film Festival (November 1st, - December 2nd, 2010).
Greece participates in the Festival under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, while the Cultural Department of the Embassy contributed to the Festival organization and in the presentation of the Greek movie.
Apart from the promotion of the Greek film to Chinese mass media, the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing supports the Film Festival since its launching, two years ago, and notices the enthusiasm of the Chinese audience for the charming Greek film at the Press Conference and at the reception for the beginning of the Festival.
Deepening relations with China is an important matter not only for businessmen and leaders, but also for people. Movies are a good way to bring China closer to people of Europe, which is included in the ambitions of Press & Communication Office in Beijing.
November 3rd - Greek diet in Chinese TV
Aiming at promoting Greek products in China, Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing participated in the TV show of major Beijing TV channel 7, and presented the food habits of Greeks.
During the 30-minutes show of the famous journalist and taster, Ms Han Jie, the Press & Communication Counsellor of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing – along with his wife and son – presented the preparation of a complete menu, with hors d’ oeuvre, Greek salad, mousaka for main course, and traditional halva for dessert.
The Chinese audience of the show was highly impressed by the concept and delighted the taste of Messologi caviar (avgotaracho), Epirus and Crete cheese, sun-dried tomatoes from the Greek islands, Mytilene salted sardines, and appreciated the constant use of high-quality olive oil, the promotion of ouzo as aperitif, of the Macedonian white wine and of the red Metsovo wine, in a dinner that ended with sweet Patras Moschato, accompanying the dessert.
The 3rd November show, which was transmitted in time of high ratings, for second time after the initial transmission, in the summer, was awarded with the Special Food Tasting award.
November 2nd - Greek crisis as an opportunity for Chinese investments
With the kind support of the Economic & Commercial Affairs Office and of the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, Greece participated in the International Trade Forum “China Overseas Investment Forum” in World Center of Beijing, in November 2nd, 2010.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Regional Development and Competitiveness, Mr. Ioannis Drymoussis, and investment counselors of “Invest in Greece” Agency presented the competitive advantages Greece offers to Chinese investment companies, and referred to the structural reforms of the law system, which aim to enhance investments in Greece, and to the new prospect of investment security in Greece.
The crowded audience of opinion makers and Economy & Business analysts realized that economic crisis in Greece can turn out to be an investment opportunity for all the Chinese companies, that could be interested in investing in Greece.
October 30th - First award for the Greek cuisine of Press & Communication Office in Beijing
Greek pasta, cooked with Greek products, olive oil, basil and caper, sun-dried tomatoes and olives, flavored with Mavrodfani sweet wine and Greek feta cheese in small pieces, was awarded the first prize in the 5th Diplomats’ Cooking Contest, organized by “DIPLOMAT” magazine, in the framework of World EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, in October 30th, 2010.
“As, according to a famous old saying, “a well – cooked plate is a feast of the senses”, the Press & Communication of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing combined know-how with creative imagination, thus transforming a simple recipe to a form of Art”, was the “verdict” of the Contest Committee.
Attempting to promote Greek cuisine and Mediterranean Diet, Press & Communication Office in Beijing fulfilled its expectations.
October 21st-23rd - Beijing Press & Communication Office in Mao Zedong’s birthplace
Upon invitation of the Chinese Government, Beijing Press & Communication Office participated, along with 14 diplomatic delegations, in the festivities taking place in Mao Zedong’s birthplace, Shaoshan, in South China Hunan Province, from October 21st to 23rd, 2010.
Referring to the lastingly expanding strategic bilateral relations, the Press & Communication Counsellor of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing unfolded during the official meeting the results of the recent visit by Premier Wen Jiabao to Greece, and presented the deals, that have been signed.
The Local Government and the invited tour operators of Province capital, Changsha, expressed vivid interest for the development of tourism and of green energy, which constitutes a major field of development in the Province of coal production, gradually acquiring strong interest on green energy.
October 16th-23rd - Greek Press Delegation in China
In the framework of the mutual visit of journalists to Greece and China for the last 13 years, under the auspices of Secretariat General for Information & Communication and of All – China Journalists’ Association, and with the active contribution of Press & Communication Office in Beijing to the logistics of the visit, eight Greek journalists visited China (October 16th– 23rd , 2010).
Welcoming the Press Delegation, H.E. the Ambassador of Greece to Beijing, Mr.Theodoros Georgakelos, referred to the importance of this visit for the enhancement of cooperation in the field of Mass Media, and underlined that bilateral relations of the two countries enjoy an excellent level, while cooperation in the fields of Economy, investments, culture and tourism is enhanced.
During a dinner in the Ambassador’s Residence, the recent visit of Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, to Greece was the main issue of a vivid discussion.
Besides, in the meeting with the Greek journalists, General Secretary of All – China Journalists’ Association, Mr. Zhu Shouchen, stressed the importance of cooperation and expressed the wish that the members of Press Delegation will have a comprehensive view of China, and will present an objective and fair picture to Greek public opinion.
The Greek journalists enjoyed a guided tour in the Forbidden City and in the Great Wall, and had meetings with high – level officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the State Council Information Office, in the publishing group Beijing Daily Group and in the radio station CRI.
In all their activities, the journalists were accompanied by the staff of the Press & Communication Office in Beijing.
October 4th-8th - The Press & Communication Office of Beijing in the Cultural Festival of Shanxi Province
Upon the invitation of the Chinese Government, Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing represented our country– along with diplomatic missions of other countries – in the annual Cultural Festival of Shanxi Province, organized in the ancient city of Pingyao, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the 3-days cultural, ecological and tourism activities (October 8th– 10th, 2010), the Press & Communication Counsellor of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, Mr. Christos Failadis, in the framework of a meeting, referred to the issue of Greek cultural heritage and to the request of the return of Parthenon Marbles to the New Acropolis Museum.
The extremely good attitude towards the Greek participation during the meeting and the exchange of gifts with official of the Local Government consists major sign of the always positive view of Chinese people for Greece and for everything related to Greece
September 4th - International charity sale for persons with disabilities “Love knows No Borders”
Featuring authentic copies of famous or some lesser known original artifacts now kept in Greek museums, and promoting Greek civilisation and tourism, the Greek Embassy Press & Communication Office took part in this years’ international charity sale for persons with disabilities “Love knows No Borders”, in the Chinese capital.
The charity sale, hosted by Madam Le Aimei, wife of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi raised funds to be used in order to finance projects such as a community rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities in Xibaipo, Pingshan County of Hebei Province.
All of the artifact copies featured in Greece’s pavilion in the charity sale had been provided with General Secretariat of Communication-General Secretariat of Information efforts’ and have been made by skilled modern artists and their models have been recommended by expert scholars. The Greek pavilion featured also wines and food products, which belonged to some of the most famous Greek brands and have recently been introduced to the Chinese market. Everything the pavilion offered aimed to familiarise the general public with the art and daily life of ancient and more contemporary Greece.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yang Jiechi, visited the Greek pavilion and thanked the Greek Embassy Press & Communication Office staff for their contribution to the charity event.
July 7th-Visit by the Minister of Culture and Tourism in Beijing
So as to promote the visit by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Pavlos Geroulanos, in Beijing, οn the occasion of Beijing International Tourism Expo & North China Travel Fair 2010, the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing arranged several interviews to important Chinese Mass Media, among which:
- 5-minutes interview to TV channel CCTV (daily cultural program “Culture Express” - evening time of high TV viewing – journalist Ji Xiaojun)
- Interview to the newspaper China Daily (journalist Guo Shuhan)
- Interview to news agency Xinhua.
Besides, in an interview to the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, Mr Geroulanos referred to the importance of tourism for Greek Economy and presented Greece’s strategy for the attraction of Chinese travelers to Greece.
The Minister of Culture & Tourism attended the Greek drama play “The dinner” at the Beijing People’s Art Theatre. “The Dinner”, by Iakovos Kampanellis is a modern Greek drama based on the tradition of ancient Greek tragedy, and it is directed by the Vice Rector of Chinese Drama Academy and Ambassador of Honor for Greece, Luo Jinlin.
June 23rd- Visit by the Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, Ms Louka Katseli
So as to promote the 24-hour visit by the Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, Ms Louka Katseli, in Beijing, the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing arranged several interviews to important Chinese Mass Media, among which:
- 12-minutes interview to TV channel China Business News (daily program “Insider Insights”- evening time of high TV viewing – journalist Jia Ningfang)
- 5-minutes interview to TV channel CCTV2 (daily program “Financial News” - evening time of high TV viewing – journalist Rui Chenggang)
- Interview to Chinese News Agency Xinhua.
Aiming in attracting investments in Greece, enhancing bilateral trade, the cooperation in shipping field and in services, especially in the fields of tourism and culture, and supporting Greek investments in China, the visit of Ms Katseli and the reverberation of her interviews highly contributed to the enhancement of the increasingly important strategic partnership of Greece and China.
June - 4th International Tourism and Tea Festival in Yongchuan
Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing participated in the International Tourism & Tea Festival, organized every two years by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in collaboration with China International Tea Culture Institute, in Yongchuan, the picturesque historic city of 10 million inhabitants in the southern province Sichuan, in the framework of the effort to promote tea and incorporate its culture in tourism.
Promoting the comprehensive idea of local tourism combined with the absolute respect to nature’s harmony and with the protection of the common wealth for the generations-to-come, the local government connected the highlighting of tea culture with the presentation of the UNESCO monuments of the region.
China is the birthplace of tea cultivation, the birthplace of a product, which represents the eastern philosophy, stirs the spirit and gives taste to those who consume it, while at the same time it creates bridges of friendship between China and other countries around the world. Beyond national borders, nationalities, religious beliefs, tea has always contributed - according to experts – to the evolution of human civilization.
During a night music event, the Ambassador of Greece in Beijing, Mr. Theodore Georgakelos, was chosen by our Chinese hosts, who wished to pay tribute to Greece as cradle of civilization and as ideal tourism destination, to award the city Yongchuan, on behalf of Beijing’s diplomatic community.
May 14th-21st - Press & Communication Office in Beijing and the visit of All – China Journalists’ Association Delegation
With reference to the annual exchange of Press delegations between China and Greece for the 13th year, the Press & Communication Office of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing has once more this year the pleasure to organize, along with the General Secretariat for Information – Public Relations Department, the visit of an 8-member Chinese Press delegation in Greece from May 14th to May 21st, 2010.
The aim of this visit is to give the journalists the chance to meet with political leadership and be briefed on issues related to the political, economic and cultural life in Greece.
Apart from logistics, Press & Communication Office staff attended a working lunch with the journalists on the eve of their departure to Greece.
In an agreeable atmosphere, the staff of the Office presented the idea of optimistic Greece, of its culture, its abilities and its reliability, of strong bilateral relations and of the investment interest, the idea that will be enhanced through the meetings of the Press delegation both in Athens and in Thessaloniki.
April 27th - "THE SUPPER" by Iakovos Kampanellis on ‘ Beijing People’s Art Theatre’ stage
‘The Greek theatrical plays consist a great heritage for the Humanity, and the National Theatre of China is obliged to present plays of Greek repertory’ said the well known Master of Chinese Theatre, intellectual Hellenist, Ambassador of Honor for Greece, and Vice Rector of Chinese Drama Academy, LUO Jinlin, in a press conference at the headquarters of Beijing People’s Art Theatre, on April 27th.
‘It’s the first time for the National Theatre of China to approach an ancient greek tragedy through a modern greek play, and we consider it as a real treasure for the Beijing events this wonderful chance’ accomplished the Vice-Director of the National Organization Theatre, CHUI Ning.
‘Kampanellis proved that he is the most superior innovator of the ancient greek mythological characters through the creation of a poetical narration, which complies with - up to one level - the greek myths’ message, while he, at the same time, modernizes and reshapes them via his own sentimental world’ added the Press & Communication Counsellor of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing, Christos Failadis, presenting the multisided Kampanellis’ accomplishment as theatrical writer, novelist, poet and lyricist .
‘The Supper’ is the 11th greek play directed by Luo Jinlin in China but the 1st with the best Theatre of China, as he characteristically mentioned. The premiere is foreseen for June 16th for 30 in total performances.
April 29th-May 3rd - Beijing Greek Press & Communication Office in the ‘‘Meeting of different civilizations’’
An extremely interesting cultural photo & painting exhibition organized by Chinese Authorities and the European Union Representation in the Chinese capital, since April 29th up to May 3rd, 2010, in the frame of May 1st celebrations, with participation of Chinese and European artists ‘in a meeting of different civilizations and of widen acquaintance with their Chinese counterparts’.
The Greek Press & Communication Office reacted positively to the invitation and participated with two works of our fellow-worker, Yannis Marinoglou, representing the friendship and cooperative relationship between Greece & China. On the two 60X70 photos ‘ the Chinese Opera Actress meets with the Karyatides of Acropolis’ and ‘ Theodorakis conducts an orchestra at the Tien an Men Square’. The Organizing Committee has selectively forwarded the greek photos at the webside www.artbeijing.net.
The exhibition was under the Chinese Mass Media spotlights, while thousands of visitors enjoyed the chinese – european artistic works.
10 March - The Beijing Press & Communication Office anchors the‘Endless Sailing’of Vangelis Rinas
The National Art Museum of China in Beijing wide opened its gates for the first time to a Greek artist’s personal exhibition, with the ‘‘endless sailing’’ of Vangelis Rinas’ art, to anchor to the long distance Beijing Port.
Vangelis Rinas, painter & sculptor, presents with craftsmanship and sensibility his visual landscape consisting of ships and hulls of ships, musical instruments and timbers, charming female figures, striking a miraculous balance in Time, between yesterday and today, Myth & History, romantic & realistic, colors & light’ emphasized the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Theodore Georgakelos, inaugurating the exhibition “Endless Sailing III’’. Among his huge dimension paintings, there is a ship, with a Chinese fairy tale carved on its surface, attempting to bring together two great traditions, two brilliant civilizations, the Greek and the Chinese.
The fond of the art Beijing public approached with a great interest the greek exhibition, showing that the contemporary art of Greece still remains an all-time source of cultural shining and dynamic evolution as well.
The Greek Press Office in cooperation with the Cultural Section of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing worked together to support this exhibition, which is under the auspices of the China Artists Association, the Ministry of Culture and the Culture Organization of Greece and the Embassies of China in Greece and the Embassy of Greece in Beijing.
4 March - The Beijing Press & Communication Office supports the presence of Greece in the ‘'Fête de la Francophonie 2010’’
With the shooting of Nickos Panagiotopoulos’ greek film production ‘‘ Dying in Athens ’’, and the participation of H.E. the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Theodore Georgakellos, as well, at the inaugural ceremony of presentation of the ‘15eme fete de la Francophonie’ in Beijing, the Beijing Press & Communication Office supported, as an co-organizer, the presence of Greece at these festivities, being already an institution for the foreign national cinematography, among others, at the Chinese capital.
14-19 February - Beijing Spring Festival
Greece was the center of attention in the Beijing Spring Festival, in the 7-days festivities of Chinese New Year.
Press & Communication Office in Beijing actively participated in the event, presenting an “Aegean Sea Park”, since the word “Aegean” reminds of the word “love” in Chinese.
The participation of Press & Communication Office in a big Press conference, and in TV shows with high ratings, that multiplied the “idea of love in the 4 seasons of Greece”, along with the two folklore dancing groups from Evia, the Greek pictures, sounds, smells and tastes, and with the traditional Greek bell, resounding its wishes to Chinese people, presented a sunny and romantic idea of Greece, and invited Chinese people to visit our country.
30 January - Giorgos Papageorgiou exhibition
In Beijing downtown, in gallery Yishu – 8, a traditional renovated building in a rapidly developing area, fitting to the dynamic of his creation, painter Giorgos Papageorgiou, Minister Counsellor of EU Delegation in China, welcomed the audience of his exhibition, inaugurated on Saturday, January 30th, under the auspices of Embassy of Greece in Beijing.
Numerous Chinese members of the artistic community along with members of diplomatic delegations highlighted the great interest for an avant garde approach, that transforms canvas and paper to a part of Beijing history.
Introducing the exhibition, art critic Dora Iliopoulou – Rogan refers to the “beneficial impact of Chinese social and cultural environment” on the painter, adding that this impact was already obvious two years ago, in the exhibition of Today Art Museum in Beijing.
15-19 January, Press & Communication Office in Beijing at the 4th International Ecology Forum
Press & Communication Office in Beijing participated in the 4th International Ecology Forum (January, 15th – 19th ), that takes place every two years on the Chinese Hainan island, under the auspices of the Chinese Government, and in the presence of representatives of the international ecology movement, along with prominent diplomatic delegations in Beijing.
Aim of the Forum is to examine the relation of a development based on ecological principles with tourism industry, and the application of these principles in the environment.
Addressing to the Forum, the Greek delegation presented the Greek Government’s “green development” policy, along with the new energy policy and the “green infrastructures” that will set off Greek natural wealth.
The presentation has been supported by a Chinese activist, who took part 2007 in the restoration of the landscape of Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, that has been destroyed by fire.
