Foreign Office Minister speaks at Opening Gala of Creative Cities Collection 2012
Foreign Office Minister Lord Howell: "This is an excellent cultural initiative bringing together paintings from all over the world, with the majority being provided by UK and Chinese artists."
On 1 August, FCO Minister Lord Howell spoke at the Opening Gala of the Creative Cities Collection 2012, a week-long exhibition to forge new links and closer relations between artistic communities in China and the UK, with particular focus on Olympic Host Cities Beijing and London. The event forms part of the Inspire 2012 Programme, often known as the Cultural Olympiad. The exhibition is at the Barbican from 2nd to 7th August, and entry is free.
Speaking after the event, Lord Howell said:
“I was delighted to be invited to address the Opening Gala of the Creative Cities Collection. This is an excellent cultural initiative bringing together paintings from all over the world, with the majority being provided by UK and Chinese artists.
The exhibition complements two other important UK-China cultural events currently being held: “UK Now”, the largest ever festival of British art in China, involving over 100 events in 17 cities; and “Tomb Treasures of Han China”, an exhibition at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum displaying the largest and most important collection of ancient royal treasures ever to leave China.
At the Opening Gala I paid tribute to the growing depth and breadth of the Sino-British cultural relationship; these exhibitions are testament to the importance we attach to this relationship, and they will help us develop it further.”