Dutch Days Wuhan 2016

Initiated by Dutch government, Dutch Days is a series of events aiming at enhancing the cultural and business communication between the Netherlands and China. With a variety of topics covered such as design, innovation and new technology, Dutch Days Wuhan 2016 continues the line of the Embassy, Consulates and NBSOs to develop a diverse programme in Wuhan.

Dutch Days will be officially kicked-off in presence of the head of the cultural department of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy in Beijing, the mayor of Arnhem, and Chinese counterparts. The Dutch city of Arnhem is Wuhan’s twin city since the late nineties. A delegation headed by the mayor of Arnhem, Mr. Herman Kaiser, will present the city in various ways and will introduce leading Dutch companies and institutes in the fields of engineering, automotive, education, and sports. Dutch conductor Lute Brommer, who lives in Wuhan for many years, will musically support the opening ceremony of Dutch Days by leading a string quartet.

Directly following the opening ceremony, a selection of Dutch fashion designers and textile innovators will present Dutch creativity and innovativeness during a conference for the creative industry professionals in Wuhan. The conference takes place at one of Wuhan’s leading creative industry venues; 403 International Art Centre. Successively, the day after the conference they will present their work and life stories at the Wuhan Textile University to inspire large groups of students.

In several cities in China, Dutch Days collaborated with the often-called world’s biggest physical social network: PechaKucha; a fast pitch format in which presenters have the challenge to present a story in four hundred second only with help of twenty images which will all be displayed for twenty seconds. During this event ten speakers connected to Dutch Days share a mission, recent project or life story.  

Furthermore, Chinese employees of Dutch companies in Wuhan get the opportunity participate at a workshop. During the workshop The Dutch Mindset, Ms. Lilian Kranenburg will give an audience all necessary background information on how to deal with the Dutch. As part of the Arnhem delegation, Dutch premier league football club Vitesse will present itself in Wuhan. Jointly with the Wuhan Sports Bureau, Vitesse will give a workshop for local football fanatics.

Finally, throughout the week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) several Dutch films that are part of the Netherlands Online Film Festival will be shown to crowds in Wuhan.

The Dutch Days Wuhan 2016 programme has been developed with support of Wuhan Foreign Affairs Office, Municipality of Arnhem, Football Club Vitesse, 403 International Art Centre, Wuhan Textile University, and Hubei Daily Media Group. The event is sponsored and linked by listed company YOFC from Wuhan; a Sino-Dutch joint venture. Overall event management and programme development is in hands of Dutch cultural consultancy About Asia.