“Lanka First Taste”, a photography exhibition was jointly opened by Vice Mayor Wu Yuexia, Zhongshan City, China and the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou Ms. Yasoja Gunasekera on 17th September 2014. The exhibition will be open to the general public at the popular venue, the Workers’ Cultural Palace in Zhongshan until the 9th of October.
The Consul General, Ms. Gunasekera, speaking on the occasion stated, “This is an auspicious time in the close relationship between Sri Lanka and China. President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to Sri Lanka, which has just concluded has led to even closer cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fields of investment; joint ventures; trade; tourism; development projects and capacity building”, to a capacity crowd that attended the opening of the event, which included Chinese Government officials, the media, and members of the general public. She also acknowledged the role of the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association for their role in building the friendship between Zhongshan and Sri Lanka, which led most recently to the visit of a high level delegation to Sri Lanka, from Zhongshan and a well attended Business Forum in Colombo.
The Exhibition has three parts : a portrayal of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in photography, giving visitors a chance to explore Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural heritage as well as the country’s unique biodiversity. Also “Sri Lanka through Chinese eyes”, which comprises photographs of Sri Lanka taken by Summer Gao, a successful local photographer and “China through Sri Lankan eyes”, comprising photographs of Guangdong Province by Asiri Epasinghe, which have been very popular with Guangdong audiences.
A selection of Sri Lankan handicraft items displayed proved to be very popular with the local audience.
At least 438,000 visitors have already visited the exhibition during the four months it took place at the Redtory, the premier art space in Guangzhou. The exhibition was also presented in Foshan, on its tour of South China. Audience feedback indicates that the exhibition has inspired many more Chinese tourists from South China to visit Sri Lanka.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Guangzhou
22nd September 2014
