Wellington Xiamen Association Projects

Some highlights are —

The Wellington City Exhibition of Images to Xiamen

During Xiamen Day celebrations in Wellington in September 2002, the Chairman of the Xiamen Federation of Literary and Art Circles issued an invitation to the Wellington Xiamen Association to take an exhibition of photographic images to Xiamen.

Less than a year later this exhibition has been put together and is ready to go. The majority of funding to support the cost and organisation of printing and mounting the images has come from the Wellington Xiamen Association and the Wellington City Council and, in keeping with Council's new Creative Capital concept, the exhibition is to remain on permanent display in Xiamen.

This exhibition has provided a wonderful opportunity for Wellington photographers to be showcased in an international forum. Approximately one hundred images have been assembled to capture the essence of Wellington and New Zealand — where we work and play, our cultural diversity, the colours, landscapes, native flora and fauna, summer activities such as BBQ's, children in action, sport, architecture, kiwi baches and letterboxes. All those things that New Zealanders take for granted but are fascinated by when visiting other countries.

As a result of the Association's hard work there has been an increase in community awareness of the sister-city bond and this exhibition will be further evidence of the cementing of the close relationship the two cities already enjoy.

This is another fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Wellington's exceptional creative talent and boost the reputation of Wellington as a centre of creativity. It is also an important opportunity to continue to strengthen our ties with the people of Xiamen, Mayor Prendergast said.

Ideally the Xiamen audience will be captivated by the essence of what makes us tick, where we work and play, our cultural diversity, the colours of New Zealand and much, much more, said Jenny Dey, President of Wellington Xiamen Association.

The images shown here help make up the 100 images that will go to Xiamen in early September and are examples of similarities and diversities between Xiamen and Wellington or New Zealand. Michal Pinkertons' Fun with Bubbles image shows that children everywhere have fun blowing bubbles. And, Tim Beverstocks' image of a country church shows differences in Architecture.

WCC and WXA would especially like to thank

And of course thank you to all the photographers who have put forward their images to be part of this wonderful exhibition.