Meridian and The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China collaborate to host 2nd Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at Meridian International Center

On Thursday, January 19th, Meridian collaborated with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to host the 2nd annual Chinese Lunar New Year reception, celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Dragon in the historic Meridian House. Over 400 guests attended, including high-ranking diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, officials from the U.S. Department of State, D.C. cultural leaders, local and international media, scholars, and corporate representatives. Meridian’s Art for Cultural Diplomacy program organized a special one-night art exhibition: A Zhuxianzhen Tradition: New Year Woodblock Prints from Kaifeng. The exhibit included 20 traditional nianhua prints from Henan Province, illustrating auspicious symbols from Chinese folklore. Complementing the artworks, stations staffed by Chinese Embassy chefs offered guests a sampling of authentic cuisine from different regions in China. His Excellency Zhang Yesui, Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China to the United States; Meridian President and CEO, Ambassador Stuart Holliday; Meridian’s Chairman of the Board, Governor James Blanchard; and Meridian’s Senior Vice President for the Arts, Dr. Curtis Sandberg offered remarks at the reception. The 6ixwire Project, a duo who play the western four-string violin and the two-string Chinese violin (erhu), also performed pieces from the East and West. In addition, Meridian staff gave tours of its acclaimed exhibition CHINA Town: Contemporary Ceramic Painting from Jingdezhen, currently displayed in the White Meyer House. The exhibit will be on view through January 29th before the works return to Jianxi Province.