Horticultural expo wins international approval

The bird's-eye view of the Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition, which showcases nearly 2,000 rare or new plant varieties from all over the world. The expo lasts till Oct 25. Provided to China Daily.

The Qingdao International Horticultural Expo 2014 has received positive international recognition in terms of frequent visits from overseas delegations, high-class performances by artists from the five continents, and other various cultural exchange activities, according to local governments.

"The expo has provided a great platform for international cities to present their own culture and in return also add great charm to the expo," said Li Fengli, secretary-general of the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition executive committee.

Vanida Kuttawas, consul general for Thailand, in Qingdao, headed a delegation to visit the exposition on Sept 6 and remarked on the grand venues and various horticultures showcasing traditional Chinese culture.

"We can learn more from Qingdao if given the opportunity to host an international horticultural Expo,"said Kuttawas.

A Mannheim Culture Week was held from Aug 22 to 27, when the symphony orchestra from the National Theater, Mannheim, in Germany performed works by Mozart.

The German delegation, headed by Mannheim Mayor Peter Kurz, signed a partnership agreement and archives cooperation memorandum with Qingdao.

"I am very impressed by the activities and garden design of the Qingdao expo, especially the International Garden," said Kurz. "In the meanwhile, I believe Mannheim and Qingdao will cooperate in a wide range of areas in the future."

Georgia Day, on July 12, featured a wall in the Georgia Garden containing still photographs of Gone With the Wind, Forrest Gump and Walking Dead, all of which were filmed in Georgia.

A pop group from Amsterdam gave rock 'n' roll performances in the International Garden.

Swedish photographer Richard held an exhibition called "Herbal Love (A Love for Plants: A tribute to Carl Linnaeus)" in the Sweden Garden on Aug 7.

Other international cultural activities also include a Kyoto week, a Hong Kong week, and visit by a delegation from Brest.

Li Fengli said the expo will also help Qingdao to build more comprehensive partnership with international cities and create a positive effect on their economic and cultural development.

In October, the expo will hold another international event, the color marathon or rainbow run, which will attract athletes and sports lovers from across the globe.

The expo's artistic features also include a 3D painting in an abandoned tunnel, the largest of its kind in the world, according to China Records.

A spectacular water dance is presented on the water zone at the expo every day and night, which could compete with the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, said Li.

In addition the expo is backed up by a number of international acclaimed art masters including Wu Weishan, gold medal winner in the Louvre International Art Exhibition and president of the Chinese Academy of Sculpture.

Wu has led the expo sculpture competition project and helped select 80 sculptures from 2,500 submissions for the expo to collect and display.