The 8th China Changchun International Ceramics Symposium& the 1st “Yatai•Lotus Mountain Prize” International Ceramics Contest, which was hosted by the Management Committee of Changchun Lotus Mountain Ecological Tourism Resort, Changchun Foreign Affairs Office (CCFAO), CCPIT Changchun Sub-Council, Changchun Publishing House, opened at the Lotus Mountain Shimao Ski Resort in the morning on July 22, 2019. Fifty-two ceramists from 29 countries and regions will create their works and participate in activities including Changchun International Ceramics Forum and Changchun in the Eyes of Ceramists during their stay for 20 plus days in Changchun.

The event was declared open by Zhao Ming, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Changchun Municipal Committee and Director General of the Publicity Department of CPC Changchun Municipal Committee. The opening ceremony was attended by such officials and guests as Hu Ying, Full-time Vice President of Jilin Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shao Daming, Secretary of the Party Work Committee and Director of the Management Committee of Changchun Lotus Mountain Ecological Tourism Resort, Qi Guohua, Director General of CCFAO, Xu Huaiwu, President of CCPIT Changchun Sub-Council, and Zheng Xiaohui, President of the Changchun Publishing House. The opening ceremony was presided over by Feng Guogang, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Changchun Lotus Mountain Ecological Tourism Resort.

Shao Daming, on behalf of the host, extended his congratulations in his speech on the opening of the International Ceramics Symposium and International Ceramics Contest, saying, “Changchun has held the 7 international ceramics symposiums, which has become a brilliant business card and an important platform to enhance the influence of the city and promote the exchange of Chinese and foreign art. This year’s Ceramics Symposium & Contest aims to promote the Chinese culture and tradition, facilitate the communication of Chinese and foreign art, improve the cultural taste of the city, and enrich the life of the mind. With a progress in terms of content, form and scale, participation, internationality and influence, it will not only further promote the development of Lotus Mountain’s cultural tourism industry and enhance the popularity of Lotus Mountain, but also boost Changchun to become a “well-known cultural city in Northeast Asia”. It will play a great role in promoting the spread of ceramic culture and popularization and development of modern ceramics.”

On behalf of all contestants, Portela Isabel, a ceramist from Mexico delivered a speech, saying, “It is a great honor to participate in the event held in the picturesque Lotus Mountain Ecological Tourism Resort. This is a grand event for the international ceramics and a good opportunity for ceramists from various countries to understand China and understand Changchun. Here, on behalf of all the ceramists in the contest, I would like to thank Changchun City and Changchun Lotus Mountain Ecological Tourism Resort for providing us with such a rare opportunity to participate the contest in such a superior environment.”

The representative of International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) of UNESCO, Lynn Frydman Kuhn, a Swiss ceramist, a member IAC also expressed her warmest congratulations on the opening of the International Ceramics Symposium & International Ceramics Contest, saying, “Although starting relatively late, Changchun has become increasingly popular in the ceramic industry of the world. The contest is of great significance in promoting the development of modern ceramics and the cultural cooperation and exchanges among the countries around the world.”

Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute also sent a letter of congratulation. It says: “This is a great event of your city in carrying out international cultural exchanges. It is also a grand gathering for ceramists at home and abroad. It will undoubtedly play a positive role in tracing the new status and new trend of international ceramics, enhancing the awareness and level of modern ceramics and promoting the development of ceramic sectors in different countries.”

The speeches of the opening ceremony were delivered in both Chinese and English. More than 100 media reporters, volunteers and ceramic fans attended the opening ceremony.

With the theme of “uniqueness, innovation, and fusion”, the event is aimed at promoting the Chinese culture and tradition, facilitating the communication of Chinese and foreign art, improving the cultural taste of the city, and enriching the life of the mind. In addition to on-site creation of ceramic works, other activities include Opening Ceremony, Welcome Banquet, Changchun International Ceramics Forum, Open Day for the Citizens, Changchun in the Eyes of Ceramists and Award Ceremony. There are four categories of awards for the contest: 2 gold awards with RMB100,000 for each winner, 5 silver awards with RMB50,000 for each winner, 10 bronze awards with RMB20,000 for each winner, and 35 excellence awards with RMB5,000 for each winner.