On May 16, 2023, the Third China-CEEC EXPO was officially opened in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China. As a key component of the exhibition section of service trade, the CEE Cultural Fair, co-hosted by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce and the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade, made its debut at the EXPO. It is a place to demonstrate the customs, the cultural and artistic essence of CEE countries.
In order to further build a platform for practical cooperation between enterprises of China and CEE countries, and promote the sustainable development of cultural trade, the China-CEE Cultural and Trade Activity was launched at the venue of the CEE Cultural Fair, aiming to strengthen and promote cultural trade cooperation between China and CEE countries.
Cultural Fair
Mr. Wu Zhengping, head of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Adam Daniel Breuer-Zehevi, Director of Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing, Mr. Yang Zhaojie, representative of the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade, Mr. David Yuan, designer of MR. DAVYUAN, Mr. Song Siheng, pianist, Ms. Andreea-Ema Stoian, Cultural Commissioner of Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing, Mr. Xiao Bo, Vice Director of Visual Effects & Stereo Production Center of China Film Studio, Mr. Pavel Wang, Secretary-General of Central and Eastern European Branch of Western Returned Scholars Association, Ms. Irina Banari, Artist & Educator from Romania, and Mr. Vladimir Tzanev, Pianist & Music Consultant from Bulgaria, were invited to attend this event.
Dialogue and Co-creation Without Boundaries, to Create a Charming World of CEE Arts
The CEE Cultural Fair consists of booths from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc., containing the DAVORB Art Installation originally designed by Mr. David Yuan, a Chinese artist, and co-created by plenty of CEE artists specifically invited by David, miniature sculptures on pencil tips by Mr. Jasenko Đorđević, a Bosnian-born artist who has attracted much attention in the western world, a special clock-in device on site to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Petőfi Sándor’s Birth, an audio-visual feast demonstrated by Pianist Mr. Song Siheng, etc. As the only cultural booth of the EXPO, the Fair adds artistic atmosphere to the EXPO with exhibits of rich artistic features.
Live Performance by Pianist Mr. Song Siheng
The Expo’s guest of honor is Hungary, which year marks the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Petőfi Sándor, a famous Hungarian patriotic poet. Mr. Wu Zhengping, head of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Adam Daniel Breuer-Zehevi, Director of Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing, Mr. Yang Zhaojie, representative of the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade, and Mr. David Yuan, designer of the Commemorative Emblem for the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Petőfi Sándor were invited to attend the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Art Installation Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Petőfi Sándor. Meanwhile, Wink also launched its world premiere of Petőfi Sándor’s 200th Birthday Wine at the Fair.
Invited Guests (from left to right)
Mr. David Yuan, Mr. Wu Zhengping, Mr. Adam Daniel Breuer-Zehevi, and Mr. Yang Zhaojie
Open Communications, Shared Opportunities, for a New Level of Cultural Development
Mr. Wu Zhengping, head of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, said, China and Europe are located at the two ends of the Eurasian continent, and the “Silk Road” stretching for thousands of miles and lasting for thousands of years has already closely linked the two civilizations. In the course of continuous cultural and economic exchanges, this ancient road has accumulated rich spiritual connotations, laying a solid foundation for in-depth cultural cooperation today. In addition to their distinctive features in humanities, arts and traditional handicrafts, CEE countries are also full of inspirations in cutting-edge artistic design and creation. This is also evident at the CEE Cultural Fair.
He also said, the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, as an official trade promotion agency directly under the Ministry of Commerce, would continue to work for the goal of promoting mutual benefit and win-win situations for Chinese and foreign trade enterprises. The cooperation between China and CEE countries in traditional and modern art enjoys broad prospects and endless possibilities. He hopes that more and more Chinese and foreign artists and entrepreneurs can take the EXPO and the event as an opportunity to tap the potential and push cultural exchanges between China and European countries to a new level.
Mr. Vladislav Spasov, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai, spoke highly of this event in his video speech. He said, the EXPO, as the only national-level exhibition for cooperation between China and CEE countries, is a great opportunity to show Bulgarian characteristics to the Chinese people. He expressed his thanks to the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce and the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade for organizing the Cultural Fair and helping to establish contacts with China. Cultural exchange has always been one of the most fruitful areas of cooperation between China and CEE countries. He hopes we could have a better understanding of Bulgarian culture and art at the Fair and wishes the event a big success.
Mr. Adam Daniel Breuer-Zehevi, Director of Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing, delivered his thanks to the Cultural Fair for demonstrating local audience with the feast of Hungarian food, specialties and modern art. He hopes visitors here could learn more about the unique cultural charm and traditional customs of Hungary. Hungary has always been firmly committed to strengthening exchanges with China in the fields of economy, trade and culture. Since 2014, the Hungarian Post Office has launched Chinese zodiac stamps every year. At the EXPO, Liszt Center – Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing and the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade jointly displayed a valuable collection of zodiac stamps’ first day covers.
Published by Hungarian Post Office
Collection of Zodiac Stamps’ First Day Covers Demonstrated by Liszt Center – Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing and the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade
Ms. Andreea-Ema Stoian, Cultural Commissioner of Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing, expressed her pleasure to be here at the event as the representative of her institute. While showcasing Romanian cultural heritages and artistic diversities, she believed that events such as the Cultural Fair be good to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between countries, and boost cooperation opportunities and shared experiences. She hopes that after this event, the friendship and cooperative relations between Romania and China could be further strengthened, and more people are able to feel Romanian culture and art.
Digital Exploration, Co-constructed Resources, for a New Chapter of China-CEEC Cooperation
Mr. Yang Zhaojie, representative of the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade, said, since its establishment in September of 2022, the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade, taking “Digital Cultural Trade” as the theme, is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries, focusing on cutting-edge cultural concepts and business experiences, and designing professional and precise branding activities with constant exploration and innovation. Moreover, it has been keeping close contact with Chinese and foreign cultural institutions, and famous artists, musicians, experts and scholars at home and abroad, to optimize resources, brand and marketing channels, and to build a platform for cultural and trade cooperation.
At the China-CEE Cultural and Trade Activity
Speech by Mr. Yang Zhaojie, representative of the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade
As one of the hosts of CEE Cultural Fair, the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade would continue to leverage its advantages and invite experts from China and CEE countries to discuss opportunities and challenges in cultural trade cooperation, share prospects for cultural trade cooperation in CEE countries, and put forward initiatives to strengthen cultural exchanges between CEE countries and China
Mr. Xiao Bo, Vice Director of the Visual Effects & Stereo Production Center of China Film Studio, said, Hungary has profound deposits of culture, film and animation production. Its unique style and artistic characteristics have attracted the attention of global audiences, and become an important way of cultural trade.
Mr. David Yuan, Original Designer of MR.DAVYUAN, Design Director of London Olympic Emblem Licensed Merchandise, Designer of gifts to British Royal, Head of DAVID YUAN STUDIO, said, taking the opportunity of the Third China-CEEC EXPO, they had invited plenty of artists from CEE countries including Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina to co-create the art installation of DAVORB consisting of diversified MR. DAVYUAN. Every stroke of the brush or random or elaborate, the visual effects presented by the artists on MR. DAVYUAN contain their own "languages", and this style of art re-creation also gives MR. DAVYUAN infinite possibilities and imagination.
DAVORB Art Installation Co-created by Mr. David Yuan and CEE Artists
Jasenko Đorđević, Artist & Sculptor on the tip of a pencil (the graphite part) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said, it was for the first time that he got the opportunity to show his works in China although he had exhibited in many other countries. He expressed his great thanks to the Joint Laboratory of Digital Cultural Trade for inviting him to this event, and enabling Chinese audience to learn more about the microcosm created by his works at the Cultural Fair.
Artworks of Mr. Jasenko Đorđević, Sculptor from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ms. Irina Banari, Artist from Romania, said, she has always been committed to artistic creation and education, and her works have been constantly updated with personal experiences. She is open to audience, peers and potential partners for communication and talks.
Artworks of Ms. Irina Banari
Mr. Vladimir Tzanev, Pianist & Music Consultant from Bulgaria, also expressed his thanks to this event, for the stage to share their years of experience and musical knowledge. He hopes that the event would build bridges between China and CEE countries, promote common understanding of music and make their musical dreams come true.
