Speech/statement |Date: 30/05/2026|Ministry of Culture and Equality

ByMinister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery(the Norwegian Residence Beijing)

Leaders of Cultural Institutions.

It is mysincerepleasure to be with you here in Beijing tonight, and to meet with such astronganddiversegroup of cultural institutions and professionals.

Many of our guests today have beenkeyto bringing important Norwegian culture projects and collaborations to China.

You have all playedimportantroles.

You have staged and performed Norwegian productions.

Brought Norwegian literature to Chinese readers.

Made Norwegian music heard in Chinese stadiums, concert halls and live venues.

You have produced Norwegian art exhibitions.

Screened Norwegian films in your market.

And fostered important creative exchanges and dialogues.

Youhave built bridges between Norway and China, as the presentation next to me vividly shows.

Ambassador:Thank youfor bringing us together this evening.

During this visit, I will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of cultural institutions and actors across different sectors in both Beijing and Shanghai.

The program reflects thebreadthandvitalityof China’s cultural landscape.

One which is steeped in history,but at the same time dynamic.

In 2024, Norway and China marked seventy years of diplomatic relations. Cultural exchange has been at the forefront of this relationship, and we are now continuing this tradition.

They help us understand each other better.

They help us identifyopportunities.

Today I had the privilege to meet Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli, and sign a renewed Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation between our two nations.

This provides a strongframeworkfor continued dialogue.

From the Norwegian side, our Embassy here in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai play an active role.

All of you here tonight know them well – and I am sure we will continue to see more results of this collaboration.

Today, we already see strong and vibrant exchange across the fields of art.

Norwegian literature, especially children’s books, has had a lasting presence in China.

The exhibition you see here today showcases works from twenty three illustrators of Norwegian children’s books.

This is the same exhibition that was showed at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair last month.

Many authors of our generation have been translated and published in China.

I know some of you here today have workedvery hardto bring these titles to the Chinese readers.

The Embassy has presented some of the works here tonight. I encourage all of you to take a look.

We will shortly see students from the Central Academy of Drama perform a modern interpretation of Henrik Ibsen.

I’ve learned that Ibsen’s work played an important role in China’s New Culture Movement in the 1920s.

That Nora fromA Doll’s Househas been considered a symbol of Women’s Independence and liberation ever since.

Other strong female characters – Hedda Gabler, the Lady from the Sea – have all sparked discussions about gender equality, a core Norwegian value.

I amexcitedto see a modern take of a classic Norwegian masterpiece, staged by tomorrow’s talents in Chinese theatre and music.

I amalsoexcited and impressed by thediversityof Norwegian musicians who have found audiences and partners in the Chinese market.

We want to build on this momentum.

We want to createmoreopportunities for cooperation across visual arts, performing arts, film, music, literature and crafts.

And: We see increasing potential in design, architecture, book fairs, and the wider creative industries.

Fundamentally, what really givesmeaningto this cooperation is whatyou– as institutions, artists and partners –create together.

My hope is that this evening can inspire new conversations.

I amgratefulfor being here tonight and for this opportunity to meet you, learn more about past, present and future Norwegian- Chinese cooperation.