“重庆让我一生难忘” 专访英国驻渝总领事馆文化教育领事米博娜

□ 文/本刊记者 李静

英国文化协会西南地区的主任及英国驻渝总领事馆文化教育领事米博娜。

作为英国文化协会西南地区的主任及英国驻渝总领事馆文化教育领事，米博娜已在重庆工作了四个年头。因为是第一次被派到中国工作，又是在重庆，对于米博娜来说，对中国的感受和感情都是源于这座城市。即将离任之时，谈到在重庆的工作与生活，她感到十分亲切。九月，本刊记者专访了她。

致力于英国与重庆的教育合作

“四年来，我所在的英国文化协会一直致力于在英国与重庆之间的文化、教育领域开展工作。2012的伦敦奥运年，通过庆祝奥运会这一主题，我们将更多的英国文化引入重庆，让一场体育盛事变成了一场文化盛会，加强了两地的文化交流。”提到当时的情况，米博娜至今记忆犹新。“不仅如此，我们还把英国著名艺术家们设计的12副体育明星的海报带到重庆展出，并邀请重庆高校设计专业的大学生们来参观，为重庆的年青艺术家们带来新的灵感，我们很高兴参与这场集体育、文化、创意为一体的盛会。”

除了文化领域，英国文化协会还在教育方面展开交流，不仅关注中英两国年轻人之间，也关注两国教育机构间的交流。米博娜告诉记者，此前双方曾在知识经济方面展开合作，让英国与重庆的大学生共同设计新能源汽车。这一次的合作不仅是在大学之间展开，也涉及到长安汽车等工业企业，另一方面也加强了大学生们对知识产权的保护意识。“让我最感动的是，在这次合作中，很多的英国大学生爱上了中国，并希望毕业后能有机会来到中国工作，这让我觉得自己从事的这份工作非常有意义”。米博娜说。

不仅如此，英国文化教育处还把工作重点放在建立英中校际关系和发展高等职业教育及中等教育方面，使重庆及西南地区英中文化及教育方面的交流得到进一步拓展。也为中国的大学生提供相同的国际合作机会，增加相互之间的理解。

“在英国，我们开展了一个名叫‘英国下一代’的项目，就是让英国的大学生到中国学习一段时间，以此更多的了解中国。这是一个五年计划，我相信这对他们的人生是一次重要的影响，这也是我们与中国保持友好联系的一种方式。除此以外，我们也与中国汉办共同合作，为中国受众提供考试服务，为他们提供一个全球化的平台进行学习深造。”谈到学习汉语，米博娜也表示，自己在重庆待了四年，却没能有机会系统地学习中文，这也是她唯一的遗憾。“回英国以后，我会继续宣扬汉语，让更多英国人学习中文，因为中国让我一生难忘。”米博娜一脸动情地说道。

创意产业打造城市文化品牌

四年的时间虽然不长，却也足够让米博娜感受纯正的重庆文化。提到重庆，她的脑海里总会浮现出无数的印象，却又无法用一个准确的词语来概括对这座城市的看法。“重庆如此快速地发展，激动人心。我认为重庆独特的城市品牌也来源于它独特的地理环境，既是一座江城，也是一座山城，自然环境让人沉醉。”米博娜认为，一座城市不仅要快速发展，也要宜居，拔地而起的高楼和开辟的道路如果越来越不适合人们行走，就会丢失掉自己的文化特性，而重庆需要把自身的各种特点系统化在一起。

“‘创意经济’和‘创意产业’的发展可以解决这样的问题。”米博娜表示，创意产业是能够提供创意的思想，同时也给这个城市提供很多资源，英国与重庆在这方面正进行紧密合作，使重庆更宜居，交通更便捷。“重庆政府已经意识到创意产业这一领域发展的重要性，但这必须是持续性的。”米博娜感到欣慰的是，在文化处工作的时期内，重庆与英国的关系已在创意领域得到实现。在英国，人们乐意投资于创意产业，这对本国的GDP增长贡献很高。这四年里，她一直不断地邀请一些在此领域有所见地的英国专家来到重庆进行交流，让双方更了解重庆，并明白怎样激发灵感来发展重庆的创意文化产业。

“我相信，虽然两国人民对这一产业的理解有所不同，但仍然希望从相互的交流中激发人们的创造力，而这是我们共同的初衷。我希望把重庆建成一个全国范围内的创意产业发展的平台，以此引领中国文化的发展。”米博娜对此充满信心。

重庆是一个有着原汁原味本土特色的大城市，这里有川剧、有坝坝舞，而这些都将重庆文化淋漓尽致地表现了出来。

米博娜希望重庆能加大在全球舞台宣传自己的力度，通过在大学之间的交流，在一些领域上，如环保、交通、基础建设等方面的研究上更充分地表达自己。重庆有这样的潜力，可以最大程度地宣扬自己的文化，从而打造出属于自己城市文化的品牌。

重庆精神激励了我

谈到文化，米博娜称，每个国家、每座城市都有属于自己的文化特色，就像英国，在拥有厚重的传统文化的同时，也将自己的其他文化特色多元化，营造了创意文化的环境，正是在这种接受与创新的过程中将自己的传统文化延续至今。而山城就是重庆作为一座城市的文化独特之处。在米博娜的眼里，重庆是一个有着原汁原味本土特色的大城市，这里有川剧、有坝坝舞，而这些都将重庆文化淋漓尽致地表现了出来。“重庆能够从一个名不经传的小港口发展成为一座国际化的大都市，这其中也是需要巨大创意和开拓精神的。”米博娜不禁感叹道。

不仅是城市本身，重庆女性在工作中的创造力也让她印象深刻。“我想也许是受重庆地形的影响吧，整日爬坡上坎，造就了这里的女性吃苦耐劳，勇敢打拼的精神与魄力。”受她们的启发，米博娜还在重庆就职期间创建了“女性职业发展”项目，鼓励更多的重庆职业女性，并得到了她们的赞同与支持。

即将离开重庆，米博娜非常不舍，交谈间表达了对重庆的留恋：“我与中国的缘分是在重庆展开的，在这里工作和生活的四年时间已经成为我人生中最难忘的一段时光，我永远不会忘记重庆。”明年便是中国与英国的文化交流年，虽然那时已离开了中国，米博娜表示一定会时刻关注重庆，并尽可能地帮助英国与重庆两地开展更多的交流项目，让更多的英国人了解重庆。

CHONGQING…UNFORGETTABLE!An Interview with the Consul of Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate-General, Paula Middleton

Ms. Paula Middleton has served as the Area Director of the Southwest China British Cultural Association and Consul of the Cultural and Educational Section of the British Consulate-General for the past four years. Ms. Middleton’s feelings about China are derived solely from Chongqing, since this is the only city in China in which she has lived and worked. On August 25th, she shared her experiences with us in a most interesting interview.

Dedicated to Educational Cooperation between the UK and Chongqing

“During the four years that I have worked in the British Cultural Association, we have been dedicated to the fields of education and cultural exchange between the UK and Chongqing. We brought more British culture to Chongqing through the theme of celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, turning a sports event into a cultural event to strengthen cultural exchanges between both sides. We also brought 12 posters of sports stars designed by famous British artists to Chongqing and invited local college students to visit, bringing new inspiration to young artists. We were very pleased to have participated in this event, combining sports, culture and creativity.” Ms. Middleton told us.

The British Cultural Association also focuses on communication between young people of the UK and China, as well as exchanges between educational institutions of both countries. She told reporters they had a program in which university students from both the UK and Chongqing had the opportunity to design new, energy efficient vehicles. This cooperative program was not only between the universities, but Changan Automobile Corporation was also involved, which enhanced the student awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. “What impressed me most was many British university students fell in love with China after this cooperative effort and many hoped to have the opportunity to work in China after graduation. This made me feel how meaningful my job really is.” Ms. Middleton said proudly.

“In the United Kingdom, we have a project called, ‘Next Generation of the UK’, which is a f i ve year plan, allowing British college students to study in China to learn more about this country. I believe the effect on their lives was signif i cant. This is one way to maintain friendship with China. In addition, we worked with China Hanban, providing examination services to Chinese audiences as a global platform for postgraduate study.”

On the subject of learning Chinese, Ms. Middleton regretted she did not have the opportunity to learn Chinese during her four years stay in Chongqing. “I will continue to promote Chinese so more British people are encouraged to learn the language. China will always be an unforgettable part of my life.” Ms. Middleton said emotionally.

The Creative Industry Can Create a Unique Cultural Brand for Chongqing

Although many words came up, Ms. Middleton couldn’t f i nd one precise word to sum up her impressions of Chongqing. “Chongqing is developing so quickly; it’s so exciting! I think the unique city brand of Chongqing comes from its unique geographical location. It is a river city and also a mountain city. The natural environment is captivating!” Ms. Middleton believes a city not only needs to develop rapidly, but also needs to be livable. If the buildings and roads become more unsuitable for living, it will lose its cultural identity. Chongqing needs to systemize its own special features.

“The development of ‘creative economy’ and ‘creative industry’ can solve this problem.” Ms. Middleton said. The creative industry is able to provide creative ideas, while offering the city many resources. The UK and Chongqing are cooperating closely to make Chongqing more livable and convenient. Solid relationships between Chongqing and the UK have been developed in the creative f i eld.

She has continued to bring British experts in this field to Chongqing to communicate with local leaders during the past four years to better understand Chongqing, be inspired and learn how to develop a creative cultural industry in Chongqing.

“I believe, although we have a different understanding of this industry, we want to inspire people through mutual exchanges. That is our common goal. I hope to build Chongqing into a nationwide platform for the development of a creative industry, to lead the development of modern Chinese culture.” Ms. Middleton has full conf i dence in this effort.

She hopes Chongqing can strengthen its efforts to promote itself on the global stage through university exchanges in certain areas, such as environmental protection, transportation, infrastructure and research. Chongqing has the potential to fully express itself, to best publicize its culture, thus creating its own brand of urban culture.

Chongqing’s Spirit Inspires Me

When talking about culture, Ms. Middleton said, every country, every city has its own cultural characteristics. “In the UK we have our own cultural diversity as well as a profound traditional culture, which makes a creative environment that continues its traditional culture to the present day, even while in the process of receptivity and innovation. The mountains and rivers are culturally unique to Chongqing.” In her eyes, Chongqing is a large city with authentic local characteristics; such as Sichuan Opera and Plaza dancing, all vividly demonstrating Chongqing culture. “Chongqing is turning from a not well known small port city into an international metropolis. It also requires great creativity and a pioneering spirit.” Ms. Middleton said with emotion.

In addition to the city itself, another aspect that impresses her is Chongqing women’s creativity at work. “Maybe it is influenced by the Chongqing terrain, I suppose, all day climbing hills makes women here very hard working. They have a very courageous spirit and courage.” Inspired by them, Ms. Middleton started her ‘Women Career Development’ project in Chongqing to encourage more professional women, which has received their approval and support.

Since she will be leaving Chongqing soon, Ms. Middleton expressed her nostalgic feelings for the city. “I started my fate with China by working in Chongqing. I’ve worked here for four years and it has become the most memorable time in my life. I will never forget Chongqing. Next year is going to be the cultural exchange year between China and the United Kingdom. I will always pay attention to Chongqing and try to help carry out more exchange opportunities between the two sides, so more British people will know about Chongqing.” ”

重庆独特的城市品牌来源于它独特的地理环境，既是一座江城，也是一座山城，自然环境让人沉醉。 摄影：王正坤