Following their display in Chicago and Washington of the United States, the landscape sculptures of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are now on display in Suva, the capital of Fiji.
The opening ceremony
Over 100 people attended the exhibition's opening ceremony on December 7, 2007, including the mayor of Suva; the Chinese ambassador to Fiji; the president of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee; and a representative of BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad). Fiji's Foreign Minister and Papua New Guinea's ambassador to Fiji also attended the ceremony.
The exhibition is being held at the invitation of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee. A total of 110 exhibits are on display and were chosen from the works of sculptors from 25 countries and over 20 provinces and municipalities of China.
The organizers held the most prestigious welcome ceremony led by local tribal heads. Mighty guards were positioned along both sides of the Suva Citizen Center. Local Chinese groups also held traditional Chinese art performances.
Traditional welcome ceremony held by local Fijians
Fiji is a transport hub in the South Pacific region. China and Fiji have had good relations. Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to the country last April, bringing vitality into the bilateral relationship.
In his welcoming speech, Rata Peni Volavola, mayor of Suva, said, "As a small country, we are very pleased to share the exhibition of the Olympic sculptures. I hope that the exhibition will inspire the athletes and even the entire population of Fuji."
A Fiji guard besides an Olympic sculpture
(BOCOG December 12, 2007)
