Media Contacts: Monique McSween | Phone: (202) 939-5882
WASHINGTON D.C. – On Thursday, February 4, 2016, Meridian International Center joined with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to host the 6th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration. The event was made possible with generous support from McLarty Associates and Squire Patton Boggs.
In celebration of the Year of the Monkey, Meridian and the Chinese Embassy organized a dynamic cultural evening of traditional cuisine, festive holiday displays, and artist demonstrations. Members of the Henan Song and Dance Theatre, the Luohe Acrobatic Troupe, the Henan Beijing Opera Art Center, and the Henan Opera Troupe showcased an array of talents from this year’s featured region, Henan Province. An exhibition of Wuyang peasant paintings, one of the great art achievements of the Han people in Henan Province, was also on display.
Meridian President & CEO, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, offered remarks to 250 guests in attendance before introducing Mr. Li Kexin, Minister at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador James Keith, Senior Director of Asia Practice for McLarty Associates, and Robert Kapla, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, rounded out the opening remarks. Terry Harvey, Meridian’s Vice President of Cultural Programming, then introduced the evening’s many talents.
An abbreviated performance of The Monkey King was a particular favorite amongst the attendees, including senior diplomats, media and policy advocates interested in China, and cultural leaders. The distinguished guests sampled authentic Chinese cuisine prepared by chefs from the Embassy while listening to traditional instrumental music.
The Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, and other shared projects with the People’s Republic of China, play an integral role in fostering deeper understanding between the United States and China. They are central to Meridian’s American-Chinese Cultural Initiative, a public-private partnership between U.S. and Chinese businesses, non-profit cultural organizations, and government entities that strengthens and improves relations between the two nations.
