Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steve Blackett, listens attentively as Director-General in charge of Culture in the Guangdong provincial government, Fang Jianhong, during a courtesy call at the Ministry.
Barbados and the Guangdong province of the People’s Republic of China may soon be collaborating in the area of culture.
This was one of the issues discussed today, when Director-General in charge of Culture in the Guangdong provincial government, Fang Jianhong, paid a visit on Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steve Blackett, at the Warrens’ Office Complex.
The meeting was also attended by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Culture, Shirley Farnum; Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Dr. Donna Hunte- Cox, Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Wei Qiang and members of the visiting Guangdong Art Troupe.
Minister Blackett said he was looking forward to the performance of the group, which specialises in martial arts, acrobatics and traditional Chinese music, and expressed the hope that this type of cultural exchange would continue between the two countries.
Mr. Blackett and Permanent Secretary Farnum also took the opportunity to update the Director General about plans for the Empire Theatre, adding that a feasibility study would be carried out on this project to determine the next step in the restoration process.
Mr. Fang said he wished that more Art Troupes from Guangdong would visit Barbados to perform their craft, and stated that he was also looking forward to a Barbadian delegation coming to China.
The Art Troupe is in Barbados for two performances as part of a Caribbean tour.