> Cultural Relations

Irish Cultural Activities in China

Upcoming Events

2007

In the cultural field, relations between Ireland and China are closer than ever before.  On an ongoing basis, Irish art and culture is represented in China through exhibitions and performances of various kinds.  In 2007, this includes the opening of an Irish Studies Centre at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in March; an art exhibition organised by the 411 Galleries called Cead in China, which will run from February to May; an art exhibition, Through Irish Eyes, at the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communications in September; and a number of visits by Irish lecturers to teach at various universities in China.  We will also have a large group of traditional Irish dancers and musicians in Beijing in Autumn 2007. 

The Embassy would be glad to receive information about any upcoming cultural and educational events relating to Ireland. 

Ms Therese Healy, Cultural Officer at the Embassy, can be contacted at
Tel: +86 1 6532 2691 or Therese.Healy@dfa.ie

DETAILS OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Irish Studies Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BeiWai)
BeiWai, in cooperation with funding from the Embassy and NUI Maynooth, launched a new Irish Studies Centre on 30 March.  This official opening was marked by a conference at BeiWai on the theme of Irish literature and its influence internationally. Academics from across China and from Ireland attended. 

Musical Recital
The noted Irish bass-baritone, Mr John Molloy, and world-class pianist, Ms Dearbhla Collins, are in China on a tour in April.  They will give a recital at the Embassy of Ireland, hoted by Ambassador Kelleher and his wife, Sigrun.  Mr Molloy and Ms Collins also will conduct workshops at the China Conservatory of Music, Capital Normal University and the Western Academy of Beijing.

Cead in China Art Exhibition.  In the past few years, the 411 Galleries, located in Shanghai, has been best known for its annual 6x6 exhibitions, which have showcased hundreds of Irish artists’ works.  In 2007 the 411 Galleries will launch a new art exhibition, Cead in China, which will highlight up to one hundred Irish artists’ works.  The exhibition starts in Shanghai in early April and continues on to Hangzhou in mid-April and arrives in Beijing in late April/early May. 

‘Through Irish eyes’ Art Exhibition
‘Through Irish Eyes’ is an exhibition which explores the vision and aesthetic of Irish artists.  Some of the exhibitors live in the UK, following the Irish ‘tradition’ of travel and exile (as did Joyce, Beckett and many others) but still retain their identity as Irish artists. This exhibition brings together the strands of resident & non-resident practitioners and demonstrates an authentic view of the range of Irish artists.  The exhibition is take place at Beijing Institute of Graphic Communications on 10-20 September. 

Events held in 2006

Fion Gunn Art Exhibition
In September 2006, Ambassador Kelleher opened the “Green Thought in an Urban Shade” Exhibition by Irish artist, Fion Gunn.  This exhibition of paintings and texts, which was the culmination of a three-year project between Fion Gunn and writer, Kay Sexton, focuses on the public gardens of Beijing, Dublin, London and Paris.  The Beijing element of the exhibition came about following Fion Gunn’s residency in 2005 at the Red Gate Galley in Beijing.  Guan Donghai, a Chinese glass sculptor also collaborated with the Beijing exhibition.  One of the works of this exhibition, ‘Glasnevin’ is on display at the Embassy.  Fion will be returning with other Irish artists for a new exhibition in September 2007 (please click here for further details)

Traditional Irish dancers

It was a busy Autumn in 2006 with many cultural events, including performances by two different Irish traditional dancers and musicians.  The first, a Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann band, Clasac, of 16 Irish dancers and 7 musicians, performed at venues around Beijing, including at the prestigious annual Beijing International Cultural Festival.  The group also met with students from Beijing International Studies University and played at other venues in the city. The second traditional music group, Bru Boru, performed at a European cultural festival, Showcase Europe, in Chengdu, as well as in Shanghai.  Audiences at the event in Chengdu on 9-12 November were estimated to be in the region of 150,000.  The Embassy also manned, with some volunteers, an Irish stand.  While in Chengdu, Bru Boru performed at Meishi International School, The Bookworm, Chengdu, and an Irish pub, the Shamrock.

Vanbrugh Quartet

In November, the Embassy facilitated the visit of a classical group from Ireland, the Vanbrugh Quartet.  The Quartet, which performed in a number of cities across China, including at the Peking University concert Hall, gave a recital at the Embassy, which was verey warmly received by the attendees.

Beckett Centenary celebrations The Embassy arranged a programme of Beckett events in December, including a residency by Ms Sarah Jane Scaife of Trinity College at the prestigious Central Academy of Drama.  Ms Scaife also gave lectures at Peking University, Beijing Foreign Languages University, Tsinghua University, Hunan University and Hunan Normal University.  Excerpts of Beckett’s plays were performed at the Central Academy of Drama by an Irish theatre group, BH Productions, based in Seoul, as well as at the Bookworm bookstore in Beijing.  The Embassy also arranged for the showing of a Beckett exhibition at various locations in Beijing.