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The closing ceremony, marked by cultural unity, strengthened Sino-Greek ties, highlighting shared values and future cooperation possibilities.
The closing ceremony of the China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism was successfully held at the Athens Conservatory Amphitheater, featuring a concert by the Hong Kong String Orchestra. The event was attended by distinguished speakers including the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Xiao Junzheng, Greece’s Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, Myron Flouris, Secretary General for Reception of Asylum Seekers, Dimitrios Iatridis, and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Office for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Raistlin Lau. Approximately 500 individuals from political, shipping, cultural, and other sectors of both countries were in attendance.
In his speech, Ambassador Xiao Junzheng highlighted that the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and Greece was a realization of the joint decision made in 2019 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Over the past two years, a series of captivating activities centered on the Beijing Winter Olympics, cultural dialogues, and educational and cultural exchanges were organized. During the recent visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to China, the Greek leaders once again expressed their mutual desire to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between our cultures. The successful organization of the China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism might be a new starting point to continuously strengthen exchanges, mutual trust, friendship, and the development of Sino-Greek relations in our societies.
On behalf of the Greek government, Secretary-General Myron Flouris stated that cultural and tourism exchanges and our cooperation can contribute to a better acquaintance with the culture and civilization of both countries, promoting mutual understanding between our nations. Despite the great distances separating China and Greece, they are close in heart and mind. We are willing to utilize the closing ceremony of the China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism as a new starting point and write a new chapter in cultural exchanges and bilateral cooperation. He then briefly presented Greece’s tourism vision aimed at attracting more Chinese tourists.
Deputy Director Raistlin Lau noted that the China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism managed to further intensify contacts and exchanges within the cooperation of the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative. The Hong Kong String Orchestra is an important representative of Hong Kong’s culture and art. It performs and presents Western pieces worldwide, incorporating traditional Chinese and specifically Hong Kong sounds, narrating stories from these places, and strengthening the bonds between people.
The closing ceremony concert marked the first stop of the Hong Kong String Orchestra’s European tour for 2023. Renowned Chinese violinist Yao Zhue and the orchestra’s musicians captivated the audience with their stunning and passionate performances. The Orchestra also performed the well-known Greek piece “Mia Poli Magiki” (A Magical City) and the famous Chinese piece “I Love You, China”. Through their melodies, senses, and emotions, they built a bridge of friendship to promote bilateral cultural exchanges and crowned the China-Greece Year of Culture and Tourism with success.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
