The Year of Chinese Culture Opened in Australia

On June 24, the grand opening ceremony for the Year of Chinese Culture was held in Opera Point Marquee in Sydney, annoucing the official opening of the YCCiA.

Over 100 dignitaries attended the gala event and shared the exciting moment of the opening. Yang Zhijin, Vice Minister for Culture of the P.R. of China, Chen Yuming Ambassador of the P.R. of China to Australia, Marie Bashir AC, NSW Governor, Dennis Richardson, DFAT Secretary of Australia, Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney and Tom Albanese CEO of Rio Tinto gave speeches at the opening. After the speeches, Chinese Ambassador Chen Yuming presented the crystal trophies to representatives of Telstra and ANZ, both of which are sponsors of YCCiA. Yang Zhijin, Vice Minister for Culture of China, presented the crystal trophy to Tom Albanese, CEO of Rio Tinto, Partner of YCCiA. The 30 second short film of the YCCA was also showed at the event.

On 8 pm at State Theatre in Sydney, the opening performance of the YCCiA, The Legend of Shangri-La began with vibrant drum playing. Upsurge appeared repeatedly throughout the 2 hour show with warm applause from time to time. The beauty and power of the primitive life has moved the audience deeply. Undoubtedly Yang Liping, the most famous leading dancer from China, also the soul of the show, has proved that outstanding art could go beyond national borders.

In the following one year, dozens of high level cultural events in the frame of the YCCiA will be organized all over Australia, which embraces the local people on a splendid tour of Experience China.

Follow this link to the story for ABC Newsline covering the opening of the Year of Chinese Culture: http://australianetwork.com/newsline/archives.htm?site=201106#videoplayer  then scroll down to "Cultural Festival" on 28/06