— in honour of strong ties with Guyana
THE Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Friday evening hosted the opening ceremony of a four-day Chinese Film Festival billed for the Umana Yana on upper High Street, suburban Kingston. The festival, which commenced at 10:00hrs yesterday at the said Umana Yana with the viewing of ‘Go, Lala, Go’, is intended to mark the 40th anniversary since the forging of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana.
Gracing Friday’s opening ceremony with his presence was acting President Mr Samuel Hinds, who thanked the Republic of China for the assistance afforded Guyana over the years.
Hinds said China has contributed a lot to Guyana’s development in many areas, especially in financing.
“We sought mutual support from China and we continue to receive support… Life is not only about money, however, but also arts and culture; and so we welcome the first Chinese movie to premier in Guyana,” Hinds said.
He said the movie will doubtless be interesting to Guyanese young people.
“Many of the younger folks aren’t here tonight…  Maybe those who came will spread the word to the others,” he said.
China’s Ambassador Yu Wenzhe, while addressing the gathering, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, and the National Communications Network (NCN) for affording his mission the opportunity to host the film festival here in Guyana.
Wenzhe said that a film or movie was a country’s cultural mirror; a reflection of a country’s tradition, philosophy, value and lifestyle, giving the audience enjoyment, thrill and enlightenment while they learn more about a country’s history, culture, and everyday life of its people.
“As part of the cultural exchanges between the two countries, I hope the films of the festival will provide good opportunities for the Guyanese people to better understand the life of China,” Wenzhe said.
The five Chinese films to be shown during the festival reflect the development of China’s history from ancient to present, from feature to animation; showcasing the variety of life of the Chinese people, permeated with optimism, excitement and heroism.
“These films also display the latest trend of the Chinese film industry,” Wenzhe added.
Against that backdrop, the film shown that night, “Go, Lala, Go,” is a top box office hit. This romantic comedy illustrates the life of a Chinese white collar girl who learns to tip a balance between her personal life and professional work.
Wenzhe said that by watching this film, viewers get a panorama of life and work of modern youth in today’s rapidly changing China.
“This, I believe, will echo in the hearts of the Guyanese youths here… I am confident that there will be more and more cultural, people-to-people exchanges between China and Guyana; and these exchanges will serve to further promote the understanding and friendship between the two countries and two people,” Wenzhe said.
He hoped that the film festival would bring more happiness to the ongoing celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the China-Guyana diplomatic relations.