第十一届重庆威尔士周精彩纷呈

□文/本刊记者熊怡

第十一届重庆威尔士周精彩纷呈

□文/本刊记者熊怡

早春3月，第十一届威尔士周系列活动在山城重庆精彩上演。相较往年，今年既有追求实效的经贸活动，也有内涵丰富的文化艺术交流。其中颇具看点的主要活动有威尔士议会政府经济部长来访、“世界最美童画”国际巡展（重庆展）、“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”重庆选拔赛等。

自2006年重庆与英国威尔士签订友好合作备忘录以来，特别是2007年第一届威尔士周活动在重庆举办至今，双方在政府关系、经济贸易、文化教育和科技创新等方面的合作交往日益密切。同时也在城市规划、低碳环保、公共医疗卫生和现代农业等多个领域进行了有益的探索和尝试，取得了丰硕成果。

在过去的11年间，重庆和英国威尔士以每年一届的威尔士周系列活动为主要载体，通过人员往来、货物流通、科技合作等富有成效的多渠道、多方位、全天候的互联互通措施，不仅取得了上述“有形”的成果，还使双方两地人民的相知相亲、文化的互尊互敬逐步得到加强。威尔士周活动作为重庆了解英国、走向英国威尔士的窗口，也成为重庆对外交往工作的重要内容。威尔士首席部长卡文•琼斯也说：“在威尔士的对外关系中，与重庆的友好关系是最积极活跃的一个。”

“世界最美童画”，小画家描绘不一样的重庆和威尔士

2月19日，在重庆市政府与英国威尔士政府的大力支持下，由四川美术学院与课堂内外杂志社共同推出的青少年国际艺术交流项目—“世界最美童画”国际巡展（重庆展）在四川美术学院美术馆•罗中立美术馆开幕。

重庆市委宣传部、重庆市文化委员会、重庆市教育委员会、英国威尔士政府驻重庆办公室、英国驻重庆总领事馆文化教育处，以及四川美术学院的领导和嘉宾出席活动开幕式并参观画展。

本次展出的200幅作品从重庆全市征集而来，由四川美术学院专家、教授组成的专家评审团秉承公平、公正的原则评选得出。这些画作围绕“不一样的重庆，不一样的威尔士”主题，描绘出重庆和威尔士多样的风土人情，充满童真童趣和无限的想象力。小画家们的年龄最小5岁，最大14岁，他们分别来自重庆50余所中小学校。

“世界最美童画”国际巡展（重庆展）开幕式，嘉宾为获奖小画家代表颁奖。摄影：熊怡

“从一幅幅作品当中，我们深切地感受到孩子们对重庆与威尔士无限的热爱与美好的憧憬，我们看到了未来中国艺术的希望。”四川美术学院院长庞茂琨在现场表示，“世界最美童画”项目有助于提升青少年的艺术素养，开拓国际视野，提高中国下一代的国际竞争力。

→“世界最美童画”国际巡展（重庆展）现场。摄影：熊怡

↓ 获得今年“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”参赛资格的重庆一中高三学生王秀峰。（图片由威尔士政府驻重庆办公室提供）

英国威尔士政府驻重庆办公室首席代表马青云表示，“世界最美童画”国际巡展（重庆展）搭建了重庆与威尔士友好交流的国际平台，为爱好绘画的青少年提供了风采展示、互助学习的舞台。

本次国际巡展（重庆展）只是活动的一个阶段，部分获奖作品将远赴英国QUAD艺术中心展出。据主办方介绍，经过选拔脱颖而出的重庆与威尔士友好地区小代表们，将在今年8月接受威尔士政府的官方接待，参观威尔士市政厅，并在英国知名艺术家的带领下，走进英国著名的博物馆、美术馆，与英国的小朋友在德比艺术中心进行艺术交流和创作。

开幕式上，来自渝北区星光学校的张亦凡、南岸区珊瑚小学的彭诗涵、九龙坡区谢家湾小学的索逸云3名学生，作为重庆与威尔士友好地区小代表，接受了威尔士政府代表授予的官方出访旗帜。彭诗涵同学在出访宣言中说：“我喜欢绘画艺术，我将好好把握这次出访威尔士的机遇，向国外的艺术家学习，用自己的语言和画笔，描绘重庆与威尔士的美好友谊。”

“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”重庆选拔赛

2月20日晚，重庆国泰艺术中心大厅举行了第十一届威尔士周招待酒会。来自英国驻重庆总领事馆、威尔士政府驻重庆办公室、市政府外事侨务办公室、市商务委、市文化委、市贸促会等部门，以及我市院校、企业界代表共约150人出席。当晚，提前获得参赛资格、将赴英国参加今年“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”的重庆中学生表演了精彩节目，美妙动听的歌声赢得了嘉宾阵阵掌声。

3月中旬，英国威尔士政府驻重庆办公室携手重庆一中、重庆外国语学校和重庆德普学校，举办了2017年“威尔士兰戈伦（Llangollen）国际音乐节”重庆选拔赛，比赛胜出者将代表中国参加今年的“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”。

一年一度的“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”是英国最著名的音乐节之一，创立于1947年，至今已有70年历史。它起初是为了缓解二战给人们带来的伤痛，以促进世界和平为目的的全球性音乐交流。发展至今，已经成为展示世界各民族文化、促进文化交流和世界友好的绝佳舞台，曾在2004年获得诺贝尔和平奖提名。

每年的音乐节上，来自世界各个国家的参赛者身着各式各样的民族服饰载歌载舞。整个兰戈伦处处笙歌，各种民族音乐、歌曲、舞蹈热闹非凡。每年的“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”都有中国代表队参加，向世界展示中国艺术的独特魅力。

往届“威尔士兰戈伦国际音乐节”盛况。（图片由威尔士政府驻重庆办公室提供）

链 接

重庆与威尔士友好交往情况

威尔士（Wales）是大不列颠与北爱尔兰联合王国（简称“英国”）的一个拥有独立议会和政府、高度自治的重要地区之一，面积2万平方公里，人口310万，首府卡迪夫。

威尔士地区是重庆在英国的重要地方友好合作伙伴，交往关系密切。近十年来，在双方共同努力下，两地区交往深入发展，各领域合作取得积极成效，已成功举办了十届的重庆威尔士周活动成为了两地友好交往的亮丽名片。同时，在教育、卫生、科技、低碳、文化艺术等领域也进行了深入的友好交流与合作。

2000年，时任国务院副总理温家宝在访问英国威尔士时提议重庆和威尔士建立友好关系。2006年3月，威尔士时任首席部长罗德里·摩根访渝，与重庆市政府签订了地区友好合作谅解备忘录，确定了双方在经贸、科技、文化等多领域开展合作。2007年10月，重庆市对外贸易经济委员会和威尔士国际商务局签订了有关经济发展和贸易投资方面的合作谅解备忘录。2008年8月，重庆市政府和威尔士政府签署了正式的《友好合作协议》。

2011年3月，威尔士政府在重庆设立专门的办公室，全面推进双方在经贸、科技、教育、文化艺术等各方面的交流与合作。2013年3月，英国威尔士政府文化部长休·路易斯应邀率团来渝访问，出席了第七届重庆威尔士周活动。重庆市副市长谭家玲会见了代表团一行。市外经贸委、市文广局分别与威尔士住房、旧城改造及文化遗产保护局，威尔士政府商务部签署了有关合作谅解备忘录。代表团拜访了市经信委，推动和加深两地在先进材料及制造业、创意产业、信息和通信技术产业、新能源、环境保护和旅游等领域的交流与合作。

2016年3月4日，为纪念重庆与英国威尔士友好交往十周年，我市与威尔士政府在市外事大楼共同举办了重庆·威尔士友好十周年纪念暨第十届重庆威尔士周开幕活动。活动期间还举办了重庆·威尔士友好十周年图片展、文艺演出、经贸推介等系列活动。

今年正值重庆与英国威尔士结为友好地区的第十一个年头，在渝举办了第十一届威尔士周系列活动。受威尔士地区首席部长琼斯委托，威尔士经济和基础设施内阁部长肯·斯盖茨来渝出席了有关活动，就继续深化两地区在经贸人文等领域合作与我市领导交换意见，促进两地区友好关系深入发展。

In the March of the early spring,a series of activities of the Eleventh Welsh Week gave a wonderful performance in the mountain city of Chongqing.Compared with the past years,this year saw a different Welsh Week with more practical economic and trade activities and rich cultural and artistic exchange.What most attracts public attention involves the activities of the frst visit of Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure of Welsh Government,UK,the international exhibition of“The World Most Beautiful Children Drawing”(Chongqing exhibition) and the tryout of Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival in Chongqing,etc.

Since Chongqing signed the friendly cooperation memorandum with Wales in 2006 and particularly the first Welsh Week was held in Chongqing in 2007,the both parties have grown a closer cooperation in the government relation,economy and trade,culture and education,science and technology,innovation and other fields.At the same time,the beneficial exploration and attempt have been made in many f elds such as city planning,low-carbon environmental protection,public health and modern agriculture,achieving the great progresses.

Over the past eleven years,by hosting the annual W elsh Week in Chongqing as the main connecting bridge and employing the effective measures featuring multi-channel,multi-faceted,allweather connectivity like personnel exchanges,goods circulation,scientific and technological cooperation,the both sides have not only gained the above-mentioned tangible achievements but strengthened the people’s intimacy and cultural respect.The Welsh Week provides Chongqing a window to be familiar with Britain and get access to Wales,which also serves as the major part of Chongqing foreign affairs.Calvin Jones,the First Minister of Welsh said,“The friendship with Chongqing is the most dynamic one in the Welsh foreign relations.”

Young representatives on behalf of the Chongqing-Wales friendly region accepted the official-visit flag granted by the representative of the Welsh government.Photo by Xiong Yi

“The World Most Beautiful Children Drawing”- young painters depict the different Chongqing and Wales

On February 19,with the great support of Chongqing municipal government and Welsh administration,the international exhibition of“The World Most Beautiful Children Drawing”(Chongqing exhibition) - the international youth art exchange project jointly launched by Sichuan Fine Art Institute and Open Class Magazines,kicked off in the Luo Zhongli Art Museum of Sichuan Fine Art Institute.

Leaders and guests attended the opening ceremony and visited the exhibition from the Propaganda Department of Chongqing Municipal Party Committee,Chongqing Culture Commission,Chongqing Education Commission,the Of fice of the Welsh Government in Chongqing,Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate General in Chongqing and Sichuan Fine Art Institute.

Two hundred works displayed in this exhibition are collected from the whole city of Chongqing and selected by the expert judgment panel composed of experts and professors from Sichuan Fine Art Institute,adhering to the principles of fairness and justice.Themed with the title of“a different Chongqing and a different Wales”,these paintings vividly depict the diverse local customs of Chongqing and Wales,full of childlike innocence and in f nite imagination.Amongthese little painters,the youngest is 5 years old and the eldest 14,all of whom are from more than 50 primary and secondary schools in Chongqing respectively.

Wang Xiufeng,a middle school student in Chongqing,has won the qualif cation for the“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”.

“By appreciating children’s paintings,we have a deep feeling of their inf nite love and great expectation to Chongqing and Wales,and catch sight of the hope on future Chinese art.”Pang Maokun,the Dean of Sichuan Fine Art Institute,said,“ The project of ‘The World Most Beautiful Children Painting’ will contribute to improving the art cultivation of youngsters,broadening their international insight and raising the global competitiveness of China’s next generation.”

Ma Qingyun,the chief representative of the Of fice of the Welsh Government in Chongqing,told,“ The international exhibition of‘The World Most Beautiful Children Painting’(Chongqing exhibition) establishes an international platform for Chongqing and Wales to conduct friendly exchange and provide a practical stage for painting-loving youngsters to show their charming and learn mutually.”

This international exhibition in Chongqing is just one of parts in which some reward-winning works will be displayed in the British QUAD Art Center.The organizer said that in the August of this year,the selected outstanding young painters would have an opportunity to enjoy the off cial reception from Welsh Administration,visit the Welsh Guildhall,get access to British renowned museums and art gallery under the leadership of British famous artists and carry out art exchange and creation with British children in the Derby Art Center.

At the opening ceremony,Zhang Yifan,Peng Shihan and Suo Yiyun from the Xingguang School in Yubei District,Coral Primary School in Nan’an District and Xiejiawan Primary School in Jioulongpo District respectively,these three students,on behalf of the friendship between Chongqing and Wales,accepted the off cialvisit f ag granted by the representative of the Welsh government.Peng Shihan suggested in her of ficial-visit declaration,“I love painting; I will grasp this opportunity of visiting Wales to learn from foreign artists and picture the beautiful friendship between Chongqing and Wales with my words and painting brush.”

The tryout of“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”

On the evening of February 20,the cocktail reception for the Eleventh Welsh Week was held in Chongqing Guo Tai Art Center Hall.This reception entertained about 150 guests and representatives from the British Consulate General in Chongqing,Off ce of the Welsh Government in Chongqing,Off ce of Chongqing Municipal Foreign Affairs,Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce,Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture,the Chongqing Council for the Promotion of International Trade,schools and colleges of Chongqing and business circle.Students from Chongqing secondary schools,who have won the early qualification to participate in the“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”in Britain this year,gave a wonderful performance in this evening.Their fascinating songs won the enthusiastic applause of the guests.

In the middle of March,the tryout for the 2017“W elsh Llangollen International Music Festival”was held by the joint ef forts of the Office of British Welsh Government in Chongqing,Chongqing No.1 Middle School,Chongqing Foreign Languages School and Chongqing Depu Foreign Languages School.The winners will take part in the 2017“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”on behalf of China.

The previous pomp of“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”

The annual“Welsh Llangollen International Music Festival”as one of the most famous music festival in Britain was created in 1947with a long history of more than 70 years.At the very beginning,being the stage for the global music exchange,it was held to relieve the pain on people from the World War II,aiming at promoting the world peace.Up to now,it has become a fantastic stage to demonstrate world-wide cultures,promote cultural exchange and improve the friendship among countries.For these reasons,it obtained the nomination of Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

In the annual music festival,participants from all over the world dress diverse ethnic costumes to sing and dance.The wonderful melody would f y over the whole city of Llangollen where various ethnic musics,songs and dances throw a cheerful music party.China sends representatives to participate in this music festival every year to show the world how unique and charming Chinese art is.

(The pictures in this article are provided by the Welsh Administration Off ce in Chongqing,except the pictures with an authorship.)

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The History of the Friendly Relation between Chongqing and Wales

Wales is an important autonomous region which belongs to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (referred to as“Britain”) and has the independent parliament and government.It has an area of 20,000 square kilometers and a population of 3.1 million whose capital is Cardiff.

Wales is an important friendly partner of Chongqing in Britain,having a close relationship with Chongqing.Over the past decade,the joint efforts by two parties witness a deeper mutual communication and more progresses in the cooperation of various f elds.The Chongqing-Wales Week which has been held successfully for ten times becomes the bright card identifying the friendly communication between Chongqing and Wales.At the same time,the further friendly exchange and cooperation are also carried out in education,health,science and technology,low-carbon environmental protection,culture and art.

In 2000 when W en Jiabao was the vice primer of the State Council,he recommended the establishment of friendly relation between Chongqing and Wales in his visit to Wales.In March 2006,Rhodri Morgan,the Chief Minister of Wales,visited Chongqing and signed a memorandum of understanding on the regional friendly cooperation with Chongqing municipal government,ensuring the cooperation in various f elds including economy and trade,science and technology,culture and others.In October 2007,Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission signed a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation of economic development,trade and investment with Welsh International Business Bureau.In August 2008,Chongqing Municipal Government formally signed the Agreement on Friendly Cooperation with Welsh government.

In March 2011,the Welsh government set up a special off ce in Chongqing to comprehensively advance mutual communication and cooperation in the f elds of economy and trade,science and technology,culture and art and others.In March 2013,Hugh Louis,the Minister of Culture of the Welsh government,was invited to lead a delegation to visit Chongqing and attended the Seventh Chongqing-Wales Week.Tan Jialing,vice mayor of Chongqing met with his delegation.Chongqing Foreign Economic and Trade Commission and Municipal Bureau of Cultural Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on the relevant cooperation respectively with Welsh Department responsible for housing,old city renewal and cultural heritage protection and Welsh Business Department.The delegation visited the Chongqing Economic Information Commission with the aim of boosting and strengthening the exchange and cooperation in the areas of advanced materials and its manufacturing,creative industry,information and communication technology industry,new energy,environmental protection and tourism.

On March 4,2016,to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the friendly exchanges between Chongqing and Wales,Chongqing and the Welsh government jointly organized the 10th anniversary of the Chongqing-Welsh Friendship and the opening of the 10th Chongqing-Welsh Week in the city’s foreign affairs building.During the event,a series of events were organized,themed with the 10th anniversary of the Chongqing-Welsh Friendship such as Photo Exhibition,theatrical performances,trade promotion and so on.

As this year marks the eleventh year of establishing a friendly relation between Chongqing and Wales,a series of activities related to the Eleventh Welsh Week was held in Chongqing.Commissioned by Mr.Jones,the Chief Minister of Wales,Ken Skates,the Cabinet Minister of Welsh Economic and Infrastructure,attended the relevant activities and exchanged mutual views with our city leaders in continuing to deepen the cooperation in economy,trade and culture,contributing to the further development of friendly relation between these two regions.

The Brilliant Performance of the Eleventh Chongqing-Wales Week

□Article/Journalist Xiong Yi