One is the "Emerald Isle" located in the west of Europe, and the other is a "Park City" full of vibrant vitality. As the "2024 Chengdu·European Culture Season" is about to launch, what sparks of cultural exchange and mutual learning will be ignited between Ireland and Chengdu?

On May 24, as an important sub-event of the "2024 Chengdu·European Culture Season," an art exhibition and workshop themed "Memory Palace: The Story of Trees" by Irish artist Niamh Cunningham opened at the Xu Liaoyuan Museum of Modern Art and Design in Chengdu, presenting a "visual feast" about nature. 

At the event, Irish Ambassador to China Ann Derwin was interviewed by National Business Daily (NBD), sharing her views on Chengdu, a "Park City" full of charm and artistic atmosphere. "Chengdu is a very warm, easygoing, and open city. Every time I come, I discover something different. Although my term is about to end, I will come back to Chengdu in the future, even if not as an ambassador, but as a tourist," said Ann Derwin.

Photo/provided to NBD

Talking about cultural creativity

This is Ann Derwin's fourth visit to Chengdu. Each time she visits, she can feel the creativity and vitality of the city, and she always speaks highly of Chengdu's artistic environment.

"Culture and creativity are key 'connecting elements' between Ireland and many Chinese cities, including Chengdu. I also visited Chengdu last year to attend the Chengdu Irish Week and Exhibition of The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats, which included works by more than a hundred contemporary Irish artists. I am very pleased to see that Chengdu audiences often have the opportunity to experience Irish culture. I know that this city has a rich artistic tradition, and art has always been an important part of Chengdu's urban culture," said Ann Derwin.

NBD observed that in recent years, the Embassy of Ireland in China has been closely connected and interactive with Chengdu, providing strong support for exchanges in various fields between Chengdu and Ireland. Ambassador Ann Derwin personally led visits to Chengdu for exchanges in November 2022, April 2023, and September 2023.

The Embassy of Ireland in China has repeatedly introduced high-quality Irish cultural and artistic resources to participate in major international events in Chengdu and recommended enterprises to come to Chengdu for industrial docking. The embassy actively participated in the "Chengdu·European Culture Season" activities. Ireland served as the guest country for the 2022 Chengdu·European Culture Season, bringing a series of wonderful cultural and artistic activities such as the centenary of the publication of the masterpiece "Ulysses" by the Irish literary giant James Joyce, actively promoting cultural exchange between the two places.

From September 19 to 24, 2023, the Chengdu Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office and the Embassy of Ireland in China successfully held the "Chengdu·Irish Week" in Chengdu, carrying out six themed activities around economic and trade industry and humanities and art. This is also an important exchange project that Chengdu has focused on in recent years for key European countries.

In Ann Derwin's view, this exhibition, as one of the series of events for the 2024 Chengdu·European Culture Season, is one of the best examples of the vibrant exchange between Ireland and Chengdu in various fields such as art, education, trade, and tourism. "I hope that in the future we can continue to expand cooperation in the fields of culture and education, and promote high-level talent exchange."

Photo/provided to NBD

Talking about sustainable development

The works of Irish artist Niamh Cunningham at this exhibition focus on sustainable development and ecological environment topics and are closely integrated with the local community.

Ann Derwin said, "Sustainable development is a goal that both China and Ireland are jointly promoting. I am also pleased to see that artists from both countries use creative expressions of contemporary art to convey the concept of sustainable development and biodiversity. These themes coincide with this exhibition and the Chengdu World Horticultural Exposition that opened last month in 2024."

The year 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relations between Chengdu and County Fingal. In the morning of the event day, Ann Derwin and his team also visited the main venue of the 2024 Chengdu World Horticultural Exposition and went to the Chengdu International Friendship City County Fingal Garden - "Beautiful Fingal Garden" to see the construction results. Chengdu's protection of the ecological environment and the concept of sustainable development left a deep impression on her. "In terms of sustainable development, Chengdu and Ireland have great cooperation potential in the fields of green technology and clean energy," said Ann Derwin.

In 2014, County Fingal in Ireland and Chengdu established friendly city relations and launched in-depth cooperation. At this World Horticultural Exposition, County Fingal actively participated in the construction of the international exhibition garden of the World Horticultural Exposition, presenting the "Beautiful Fingal Garden" with unique Irish cultural and natural customs, becoming a bright spot of the World Horticultural Exposition.

Ann Derwin said, "The design of the Fingal Garden has well captured the essence of Ireland. It is a pleasant surprise to see such a vivid Irish style in Chengdu. The rich Irish elements such as clover, Cliffs of Moher, and Yeats' verses will help the people of Chengdu to understand and fall in love with Ireland."

At present, with China implementing a 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy for 54 countries, more and more tourists are setting China as their travel destination. To welcome the world's guests, Chengdu has launched a series of convenient services in terms of visa processing for foreigners, foreign-related payments, tourism promotion, express logistics, etc.

Ann Derwin said that the Chinese side's exemption of visa treatment for Ireland and the extension to the end of 2025 is a very positive policy, "We hope to see more Irish people coming to China, and also hope to see more Chinese people going to Ireland."