China-Barbados cultural exchange heightens with ‘Beijing Sunset’

BarbadoS and China continue to enjoy a rich and ever growing relationship. In fact, cultural exchanges between the two countries reached new heights in 2016, designated China – Latin America and the Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange.

In July, The People’s Republic of China most graciously hosted a Barbadian contingent of musicians, headed by Nicholas Brancker and Alison Hinds, that was a featured act at China’s inaugural Guiyang International Music Festival. In addition, Barbadian Visual Artist, Glenis Paul, was facilitated in her participation in an Art Exposition and residency, where she presented artworks that drew heavily from her Barbadian heritage.

“Cultural exchanges is one of the very important pillars of our bi-literal relations,” expressed Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados.

The cultural exchange continues on Saturday, October 22nd, at Copacabana Beach Club, when Groove Beach 246 presents ‘Beijing Sunset’, in association with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and The People’s Republic of China.

The event will feature DJs Huang Weiwei and Yang Bing from Beijing, along with eight local and international DJs performing on two stages.

Yesterday, during the press launch, Minister of Culture, the Hon. Stephen Lashley, thanked the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for its supportive and facilitating role in making such exciting exchanges happen during this important year.

He said that ‘Beijing Sunset’ represents the reciprocity of Barbadian hospitality and friendship with China, via a very contemporary and urban art form that is attracting the attention of the two nations’ youth – the growing popularity of Electronic Dance Music (EDM).

“‘Beijing Sunset’ is therefore designed to encourage a cultural exchange of contemporary youth expressions via this art form, principally between Barbados and China, but also featuring the fusions of DJs from Spain and Denmark. As with the Guiyang Festival, this will be truly an international event, and creates the opportunity for our Barbadian Deejays to be exposed to international trends right here on our doorstep,” he said.

Lashley believes the event will cement the importance of Barbados’ cultural and diplomatic community in making links internationally.

“I believe, going forward, what is going to be necessary is the formation of critical strategic alliances, where youth-led cultural businesses – whether in the area of DJ music are otherwise – are going to form key connections and have co-production arrangements with their counterparts in other countries.

“I believe that this will create the platform for building capacity, it will create the platform by which our young musicians, our young entertainers, can earn the kind of revenue that will help to stimulate the growth of their businesses,” he added.

Chief Cultural Officer at the NCF, Andrea Wells, revealed that ‘Beijing Sunset’ will also showcase the NCF’s Crop Over Junior Soca DJs, giving them the opportunity to work along with some of the island’s and China’s top DJs.

“This cultural exchange will give DJs from different hemispheres an opportunity to display their skills, network and discover new music fusions. Beijing Sunset will showcase a selection of unforgettable music that promotes a Caribbean flavour. This event seeks to display the cultural similarities and differences with the evolution of EDM music in Barbados and the rest of the world.” (TL)