Creative Industry Expo links city with world
The 13th China Hangzhou Culture and Creative Industry Expo will be held from today to September 23 at the Baima Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center in Binjiang District.
This year’s theme is “Creative City, Linking World.” The expo will combine exhibitions held in eight different zones — themed exhibition, Belt and Road (featuring local art and crafts from countries along the Silk Road), creative life, exquisite agricultural handcrafts and products, design innovation, international exhibitors, creative fair and creative exhibition across the Taiwan Strait.
Some 400 foreign organizations and companies from Africa, Japan, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany and Russia will join the expo this year.
The Italy booth is expected to be the highlight of the International Exhibitors Pavilion. Its exhibition space covers more than 1,000 square meters with more than 60 brands showcasing the Italian lifestyle.
In addition, British brands, African handicrafts, Thai coffee and artworks from countries under the Belt and Road Initiative are on show.
The Belt and Road booth covers around 4,000 square meters, showcasing knickknacks and crafts from 200 artisans and 136 art organizations from more than 30 countries and regions.
It aims to boost the development of cultural exchanges between China and these countries.
Domestic exhibitors including the National Museum of China, Prince Kung’s Mansion, Zhejiang Museum, China Art and Craft Museum, China Tea Museum and China Academy of Art will add a creative edge to the event.
In recent years, these top-notch museums have produced a series of souvenirs, stationery and other products featuring innovative ideas. Such creative products always attract many young people.
This year, the exhibition space has expanded to more than 70,000 square meters. Cutting-edge 5G technology will be used to provide visitors a visual feast, creating a virtual “future city.”
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the expo invited 30 top-flight craftspeople from around the country, including brocade weavers, stone sculptors and porcelain makers, to display new works themed on National Day celebrations.
High-caliber seal carvers from the prestigious Xiling Seal Society will present 70 seals engraved with historical moments from the past 70 years, epitomizing the pinnacle of the seal-carving craft in China.
Zhejiang Province has financially supported Guizhou Province over the years. The event is considered an opportunity for Guizhou to promote local handicrafts.
Guizhou is dominated by the Miao ethnic minority, noted for their skills at creating silver ornaments and embroidery. Their ornate Miao-style silver accessories and embroidered costumes will add a distinctive vibe to the event.
The expo also includes conferences, summits and seminars that will build platforms for trade and talent cultivation.
There are also platforms for local universities to showcase inventions and creative designs.
For example, a conference between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan will hopefully accelerate creative and cultural exchanges across the Strait.
This year, Hangzhou will found a Creative and Cultural Industry Alliance with 13 cities across China during the expo. In the future, alliance members will cooperate with each other to incubate promising projects.
In efforts to offer visitors a convenient and comfortable experience, the event organizer will provide rental service of mobile portable chargers, wheelchairs and strollers. A temporary nursing room has been set up for mothers, along with a healthcare station.
First held in 2007, the expo has become one of the four largest cultural and creative trade shows in China. The others are in Beijing, Shenzhen of Guangdong Province and Yiwu of Zhejiang Province.
Over the years, the expo has evolved into a platform to develop the city’s creative industry and promote economic transformation. Last year, it attracted 2,100 companies and 287,000 visitors and industry insiders, up 64 percent year on year. Trade has jumped to 1.6 billion yuan (US$226 million).
Date: Through September 23
Address: Baima Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center, 336 Changjiangnan Rd Admission: 30 yuan (US$4.23)
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