Dynamic tap dancing, passionate Gaelic football, fresh and pure natural scenery, unique literary poetry... When it comes to Ireland, a series of moving characters immediately ring in the mind. With well-known Irish performances and traditional festivals such as "Dance of the Great River" and St. Patrick's Day in Shanghai, this emerald island nation has already left a beautiful mark on the hearts of the people of Shanghai. The opening of the 3rd China International Import Expo is imminent, what wonderful stories will be opened or continued in Shanghai and Ireland? Recently, Sha Hailin, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and member of the Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with Ms. Wendy Dorman-Smith, the new Consul General of Ireland in Shanghai. Jing Ying, vice president of the Municipal Friendship Association, attended.
Looking back at the difficulties of China and Ireland, sharing personal experiences in the epidemic
"I am very happy to come to Shanghai to work. Of the cities I want to choose, Shanghai comes first. I've always been particularly interested in the city. I came here for a holiday in 1998, when Pudong had only the Oriental Pearl Tower (this super tall building). At the beginning of the meeting, Consul General Smeddy expressed his love for Shanghai. President Sha Hailin was the Chinese ambassador to Ireland and was very kind to Ireland.
Before the meeting, President Sha accompanied Consul General Smudey on a tour of the municipal government to learn about Shanghai's historical evolution and achievements in reform and opening up
President Sha Hailin briefed Consul General Smutdi on Shanghai's efforts and achievements in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and promoting the resumption of work and production. He especially mentioned that China and Ireland have helped each other in the epidemic and overcome difficulties together. Not long ago, under the coordination of the Shanghai Friendship Association, the China Europe International Business School Alumni Association and the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation donated ventilators to Ireland. "There is a big Irish community in Shanghai, and if they need it, the Friendship Association will do everything in its power to help."
The Consul General thanked him for this and expressed his deep recognition and appreciation for Shanghai's insistence on "people first, life first", "Ireland has the same idea." We have done a good job in the fight against the epidemic before, but recently we have found new cases. Yesterday Ireland decided to impose a 6-week lockdown in the hope that it would contain the spread of the virus. ”
In addition, she shared her own personal experiences and feelings. "I came to Shanghai at the end of February, and there were infected people on my flight, which is very far away from me. I came to Shanghai to work, and my family said that I was vulnerable to the virus in an unfamiliar environment, but in fact, I was hit by a reverse shock: in the office, I could shake hands with my colleagues, which was a blessing for me, because at the moment in Ireland, this is not allowed. ”
It is worth mentioning that on August 19 this year, Chairman ShaHailin also had a video connection with Joe Kavanagh, the mayor of Cork, Ireland, a sister city of Shanghai.
Looking forward to China-Ireland people-to-people exchanges, the progress of expo, sports, and cultural tourism is looking forward to
"It is a very remarkable thing that this year's CIIE can be held." Consul General Smeddy said that the Consulate General is currently registering for the Expo. "Our former consul general is now in Beijing, and she is also ready to come to Shanghai to participate in the Expo."
Due to the impact of the epidemic, trade between Shanghai and Ireland has declined. Chairman Sha said that the Expo is a good opportunity to promote the recovery of trade between the two sides, especially Irish food, such as whisky and dairy products are very popular with Chinese. In fact, ireland has actively participated in the past two CIIE sessions, and a national pavilion has been set up at the second session.
The Irish booth at the first CIIE
"Sports is an area where Shanghai and Ireland can expand exchanges", Chairman Sha Hailin shared his interesting acquaintance with a group of young people in Shanghai and Ireland. "I love playing table tennis and when I play at Luwan Stadium every week, I often see a bunch of Irish lads. They play the sport of Gaelic football in Shanghai (Note: Traditional Irish Sports). We added WeChat and had a nice chat. I occasionally showed them Irish and the lads were pleasantly surprised. ”
St. Patrick's Day event in Shanghai in 2017
Every year on 17 March is Ireland's National Day, St. Patrick's Day. At this time, the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai and the Irish community in Shanghai hold a series of celebrations. The Shanghai Friendship Association has invited Irish mountain wind bands to perform in Shanghai for many years. The performance of ancient instruments such as the hexagon accordion and tin whistle, traditional dances such as gigs, lilles, barns and beautiful singing seem to transport the audience into the picturesque Emerald Isle country surrounded by mountains.
The Mountain Wind Band performed in Shanghai
Due to the epidemic, although this year's festival celebrations and visiting performances were cancelled with regret, the Municipal Friendship Association and the Consulate General held an activity to light up the Pujiang River on the evening of March 17 to cheer for the world's fight against the epidemic. The symbols of clover and love shine on the Bund, conveying the determination and courage of China and Love to fight the epidemic hand in hand.
Shanghai landmarks are lit up with emerald green
In addition, President Sha and Consul General Smeddy also discussed the prospects for exchanges and cooperation between Shanghai and Ireland in the fields of tourism, culture, education, and mutual visits by civil servants.
"Although I don't understand Chinese, I like to listen to your voice" "Tell the story of Shanghai and Ireland, you will find that we have endless topics"... The one-and-a-half-hour exchange is coming to an end, and although the time is short, the future of China-Ireland people-to-people exchanges is looking forward to.
"Love" in Shencheng, to be continued...
Photo: Pan Jiandong
The data picture is from the Oriental Network, the Shanghai Friendship Association, and the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai