Meridian and The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China collaborate to host 2nd Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at Meridian International Center

A Symbol of Promotion to a Higher Position (Courtesy of The Municipal People’s Government of Kaifeng)
A Symbol of Promotion to a Higher Position (Courtesy of The Municipal People’s Government of Kaifeng)

On Thursday, January 19th, Meridian collaborated with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to host the 2nd annual Chinese Lunar New Year reception, celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Dragon in the historic Meridian House. Over 400 guests attended, including high-ranking diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, officials from the U.S. Department of State, D.C. cultural leaders, local and international media, scholars, and corporate representatives. Meridian’s Art for Cultural Diplomacy program organized a special one-night art exhibition: A Zhuxianzhen Tradition: New Year Woodblock Prints from Kaifeng. The exhibit included 20 traditional nianhua prints from Henan Province, illustrating auspicious symbols from Chinese folklore. Complementing the artworks, stations staffed by Chinese Embassy chefs offered guests a sampling of authentic cuisine from different regions in China. His Excellency Zhang Yesui, Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China to the United States; Meridian President and CEO, Ambassador Stuart Holliday; Meridian’s Chairman of the Board, Governor James Blanchard; and Meridian’s Senior Vice President for the Arts, Dr. Curtis Sandberg offered remarks at the reception. The 6ixwire Project, a duo who play the western four-string violin and the two-string Chinese violin (erhu), also performed pieces from the East and West. In addition, Meridian staff gave tours of its acclaimed exhibition CHINA Town: Contemporary Ceramic Painting from Jingdezhen, currently displayed in the White Meyer House. The exhibit will be on view through January 29th before the works return to Jianxi Province.

His Excellency Zhang Yesui, Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China to the United States, admires the New Year woodblock prints
Dr. Curtis Sandberg addresses the crowd during the opening remarks
A member of the 6ixthstring Project plays the erhu.

Project summary

Meridian and The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China collaborate to host 2nd Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at Meridian International Center | January 2012
Number of Attendees: 400
Regions: East Asia and Pacific
Countries: China
Impact Areas: Cultural Diplomacy
Program Areas: Culture
Partners: NGOs, Private Sector, Public Sector
  See Program Page