On Saturday 20 April 2024, the European Union brought a taste of European culture to the city of Guangzhou. The Delegation of the European Union to China hosted the “European Culture Street” on Shamian Island, Guangzhou, in collaboration with the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States in Beijing and Guangzhou.

At the opening ceremony, the Ambassador of the European Union to China, Mr. Jorge Toledo, invited visitors to embark in a cultural experience with Europe by visiting each EU Member State booth and participating in the activities onsite. He noted that the EU Delegation to China is committed to support people-to-people exchanges and to promote mutual understanding between the people of the EU and China. Ambassador Toledo said that “Europe is a diverse and multi-talented continent, with rich traditions and culture, and immense creativity. EU Member States' embassies and cultural institutes in China support and promote access to European culture and creativity. The EU Delegation works with them and other local partners to promote meaningful exchanges with Chinese people. The success of these exchanges will also depend on the space granted by Chinese authorities for diplomatic missions and institutes of culture to organize such exchanges. I am certain that China would also benefit if it would enlarge that space.”

As president of the Council of the European Union in the current semester, Belgium was represented at the opening ceremony by the Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou, Mr Wim Peeters, who addressed also the public. He highlighted the good collaboration with local authorities and the success of collaboration between the EU Member States towards building peace and stability. While working together under the flag of the European Union, these countries maintain their cultural diversity.  

Ambassador of Denmark to China, Mr Thomas Østrup Møller, Consul General of Poland in Guangzhou, Mr Piotr Nowotniak, Consul General of Denmark in Guangzhou, Mr Søren Bindesbøll, Consul General of Greece in Guangzhou, Mr Martinos Mandalidis, Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou, Mr Valerio De Parolis, Consul General of the Netherlands in Guangzhou, Mr Efstathios Andreou, Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Estonia to China, Mr Marti Matas, Consul General of Germany in Guangzhou, Mr Jan Rudolph, Consul General of France in Guangzhou, Mr Sylvain Fourrière, Consul General of Spain in Guangzhou, Mr Eduardo Alonso Luengo, and the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, Mr. Willy Lin, also participated in the opening ceremony.

Local authorities that supported the organization of the European Culture Street in Guangzhou were represented by Mr Chen Guangjun, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Liu Liu, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government, and Ms. Lu Qiwen, Director General of Liwan District Government.

Through this full-day event open to the public and attended by thousand visitors, the European Union and its Member States promoted cultural exchanges between people of the EU Member States and China under the motto “Quality of Life”. From 9 am to 7 pm, the European Culture Street offered a diverse programme of music and dancing performances, interactive activities, and food tasting. Visitors learned about cultural diversity, sustainability and inclusiveness within the European Union.

For photos and more information of the event, please visit the website of the EU Delegation to China: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/european-culture-street_en?s=166