The 2011 International Museum and Cultural Forum, themed “Museums: Connecting the Historic Art with Contemporary Culture,” was held at the China Imperial Springs International Convention Center, Guangzhou, on November 7, 2011. Mr. Cai Wu, Minister of of Culture, sent a message of felicitations.
Among more than 200 renowned cultural scholars, historians, and experts in art and museums at the forum were Mr. Yang Zhijin, Vice Minister of Culture; Mr. Lv Zhangshen, Director of the National Museum of China; Mme. Lei Yulan and Mr. Song Hai, Vice Governors of Guangdong Province; Mr. John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia; Dr. Philip, Head of the Expert Group for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and directors of the Sao Paulo Art Museum, Victoria National Museum of Australia, Russia Museum, Berlin National Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Henan Museum and dozens of other museums from home and abroad.
This forum was jointly hosted by the Bureau of Guangdong Cultural Relics and Guangdong Province Museums Association, organized by the Imperial Springs International Summit and KINGOLD Museum.
In the opening ceremony, Vice Minister Yang Zhi read the message of felicitations from Minister Cai Wu. Vice Governor Lei Yulan and Dr. Jose Teixeira Coelho Netto, Director of Sao Paulo Art Museum, delivered keynote speeches. During the interaction session of the forum, Mr. Lv Zhangshen, Director of the National Museum of China and Honorary Chairman of Chinese Museums Association; Dr. Gerard Vaughan, Director of Victoria National Museum; and Dr. Philip, Head of the Expert Group for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage of UNESCO; and Mr. Xiao Qialong, Director of Guangdong Museum shared their insightful views as to how to better leverage the role of museums for the harmonious development of mankind and how to further advance the cause of museum development through the concerted efforts of the governmental and non-governmental sectors.
During the interaction, many speakers commended the efforts and determination of the Chinese people in furthering the cultural program on the basis of the impressive economic achievement they have made over the past 30 plus years. They saw this forum as a great success in that it provided a premium platform for exchanges between Chinese and foreign museums and successfully generated wide attention in culture, art and museum circles around the world.
While speaking highly of the efforts of the organizers, including Imperial Springs International Summit, KINGOLD Museum and KINGOLD Group, they also noted that Dr. Chau Chak Wing, Chairman of KINGOLD Group and a leader of patriotic overseas Chinese, is truly an enthusiastic supporter of Chinese national cultural programs who cherishes an ardent aspiration to reinvigorate Chinese culture. The Imperial Springs International Convention Center and the KINGOLD Museum, built with an investment of RMB8 billion, are commendable manifestations of this aspiration. The speakers also expressed their hope to see more support from the government for private investment in the cultural sector, so as to energize the cultural life of people through developing the culture industry and creating a more enabling environment for raising the international status of the Chinese culture.