Higgins.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Irish President Michael D. Higgins delivered the opening speech for an exhibition of Irish design on Monday at the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in the 798 Art District in Beijing.
Higgins, who is stopping by the exhibit as part of a high-profile nine-day official visit to China, touched upon the cultural relationship that the exhibit, titled "Weathering Exhibition," helps advance between Ireland and China, according to CRI.
"Ireland and China, as indeed President Xi [Jinping] said when he visited Ireland a short while ago, see culture as one of the areas that can travel fastest between us, and it is always changing and in process. There is a capacity to engage with very rich traditions of the past but also with new materials as we have seen as I walked through [the exhibit]," he said.
Higgins expressed satisfaction over the role of the exhibit in advancing the renown of Irish art and design on the world stage.
"I am delighted to be here today at the 'Weathering Exhibition' to not only celebrate the beautiful work on display in this gallery, but to recognize and pay tribute to the many talented and sought-after Irish designers and craftworkers who enhance our reputation across the globe as a nation associated with creativity and artistic achievement," the president remarked.
"Weathering Exhibition," which will run until Dec. 14, showcases Irish art and design of every form and a preparation for the exhibit Irish Design 2015.
The exhibit was first held in London in September.
