The 28th of May is Norway Day at Expo 2010 Shanghai. The occasion will be celebrated with an exciting cultural programme, including well-known Norwegian and Chinese artists. HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will be among the many prominent guests.
The impressive line-up of artists includes Tan Dun, Secret Garden, The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the Trondheim Soloists, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Eldbjørg Hemsing and the Norwegian traditional dance group Frikar. In addition to HRH Crown Prince Haakon, both the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Trond Giske, and the Minister of Oil and Energy, Mr. Terje Riis-Johansen will attend the event.
The official Norwegian delegation will be accompanied by representatives from Kongsberg Gruppen, Statoil, DNV, Wilh. Wilhelmsen and Visit Norway. These are the main private sponsors of the Norwegian pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai.
Tan Dun is China’s most internationally acclaimed composer, and the Norwegian Expo pavilion is thrilled to have him aboard. For the first time ever he will be conducting his new piece The Love in China, for the occasion performed by The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the Trondheim Soloists and Eldbjørg Hemsing. Secret Garden is one of Norway’s biggest cultural exports to China and Asia. Known for lyrical songs like Nocturne and You Raise Me Up, they have millions of fans across China. Together with the Chinese martial arts group Qing Pu, Frikar is ready to give a performance that the audience will not forget easily. The blending of Norwegian traditional folk dance and Chinese martial arts is a fusion that surely has never been seen before! The event will be held in the Expo Centre, a purpose built hall accommodating 2000 spectators.
Norway’s participation at Expo 2010 Shanghai aims to strengthen Sino-Norwegian long term relations in both the cultural, political and economic sphere. The interest in Norway for China has been growing exponentially in the last couple of years. Expo 2010 Shanghai will be a great arena for showcasing Norwegian culture and businesses to a Chinese audience and we hope this will lead to further knowledge and exchange.
