Lanka extends cultural ties

With fellow Asian Nations

The 11th Asia Arts Festival of China, hosted by China's Cultural Ministry was held in Ordos city, Inner Mongolia from August 18 to 26. With this year's theme "Auspicious prairie, blissful Asia", the Arts Festival aimed at displaying the miracle and glamour of Asian arts, promoting cultural, trade and tourism exchange and cooperation between the Asian nations.

Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana led a delegation to the city of Ordos to take part in the Asian Cultural Ministerial Round Table Meetings held on August 18 on the sidelines of the 11th Asia Arts Festival.

At the meeting attended by Cultural Ministers and Heads of Delegations from 17 Asian countries, far-ranging and intensive discussions were held on opportunities, challenges and solutions for cultural development in the context of the global financial crisis.

Addressing the gathering at the meeting, the Minister explained the steps Sri Lanka has taken to continued development of culture under various departments in the Ministry with the patronage of the Mahinda Chinthana.

"We are not only proud of our achievements but are confident that some of our strategies may provide an insight for Cultural Resource Management for others in the face of adverse financial and political conditions" Minister Abeywardana said.

Recognizing the significance of culture as a component of the overall development of Asia, the Ministers and the Heads of Delegations agreed it was imperative to safeguard and strengthen the cultural diversities in the region. Noting the importance of seizing the opportunities at present and the need for mutual cultural ties, the leaders decided at the meeting to encourage cultural development of each country, to make significant contributions to restoring confidence of the society and promoting economic revival.

It was also decided to carry out far-ranging cooperation on cultural, trade and human resource development, to enhance cultural communication within the region, to strengthen Asia's ability to overcome crises to continue to make use of and advance the existing platforms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and to improve the level and quality of cooperation among Asian nations.

Minister Abeywardana was associated at this meeting with Public Performances Board Chairman Asoka Serasinghe, Additional Secretary Lakshman Perera and Public Relations Officers Cultural Ministry Hemachandra N. Vitharana.

Sri Lankan traditional dancers performed a show at the Asia Arts Festival while handicrafts of Sri Lanka including wooden masks, brass ware, Sesath & hella and batik designs where displayed at the 4th Exhibition of Art works from foreign Embassies in China which was organized together with the main event.