On 23 October, Consul General Li Nan attended the Opening Ceremony of Chinese Folk Art Overseas Tour and delivered a speech. Cathy Gormley Heenan, University Provost, Ulster University, Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Li Qian, Deputy Secretary General, China Folk Literature and Art Association and over a hundred guests attended the event.

Consul General Li noted, China has a total of 44 projects listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, ranking the first in the world in terms of the number of entries. The Chinese intangible cultural heritage delegation made its first visit to Northern Ireland, adding a bright spot to the bilateral cultural exchanges. We are willing to work in collaboration with all parties in Northern Ireland to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote cultural and artistic exchanges and mutual learning, and facilitate the deepening of people-to-people ties.

At the event site, students from local university primary and secondary schools as well as teachers, along with five traditional craft inheritors, jointly experienced traditional Chinese folk arts such as paper-cutting, shadow puppetry, inner painting, facial makeup, and cloisonne. The atmosphere was friendly and harmonious.

The delegation will also hold two special showcasing events at the Belfast MAC Art Centre and the Ulster Museum respectively.