Changsha grabs global focus on media arts

The 2018 Changsha International Media Culture Festival and the second International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Road kicked off at the Meixihu International Culture and Art Center, Changsha on May 21, putting the Central Chinese city under a global spotlight.

Chairperson of UNESCO's Executive Board Lee Byong-hyun, Director of UNESCO's Beijing office and representative to China Marielza Oliveira, and Qin Changwei, secretary-general of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, were among attendees at the opening ceremony.

In addition, representatives from four cities which were previously recognized as a City of Media Arts -- Lyon in France, York in the United Kingdom, Austin in the United States and Tel Aviv in Israel -- as well as more than 70 creative young people from countries along the Belt and Road, joined the cultural gala.

The event aims to present the city's history and its culture and serve as a bridge to connect Changsha with the outside world.

Party chief of Changsha Hu Henghua said in his opening speech that the city, taking advantage of this opportunity, expects to reinforce cooperation with other cities in an all-around way in trade, technology and tourism and contribute more to the community with a shared future for humanity.

The Hunan provincial capital was made a member of the Creative Cities Network launched by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and was also named a City of Media Arts in November 2017.

Apart from distinctive dances and performances at the opening ceremony, the event comprises nine major activities, including a digital fireworks show, a photography and video exhibition, a field trip, and a music festival. It will enable participants to gain insight into the latest achievements in local cultural creativity and the media arts.

Global attendees spoke highly of the host city in encouraging youth to protect heritages, start businesses and give play to their creativity, in addition to trying to enhance culture and people-to-people exchanges and contribute to mutual exchange.

The forum is co-organized by UNESCO and the China National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with Changsha and runs from May 20 to 23.