Press Release

‘From the Far East to Far West’ celebration of local Chinese culture.

Tuesday 29th April

An event to celebrate the Chinese communities contribution in the North West for the past 40 years will take place at the Tower Museum on Thursday 01 May at 2.00 pm.

Entitled “From the Far East to the Far West”, this initiative will see the launch of a booklet and a panel, which will be on permanent display at the Museum to represent the Chinese community’s perspective on 40 years of life here.

The event is organised as part of Derry City Council’s Community Relations Week celebrations through a partnership with the Heritage and Museum Service, the community relations section of the Council and Sai Pak (North West branch of the Chinese Welfare Association).

Speaking at the launch of the event, the Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson said he welcomed the fact that the important role played by members of the Chinese community was being acknowledged.

“The booklet and permanent display at the Tower Museum is a fitting tribute to the local Chinese community and I am delighted to be part of today’s launch. Over the past 40 years the local Chinese community have continued to have a positive impact on the everyday lives of our local community. They have shared their cultures and traditions and embraced our city and its people.

“The booklet and the panel give us an interesting insight into how the Chinese community have adapted to life in our city, why they chose to live here and how they dealt with the language, different cultures and traditions and coped with the Troubles. Its an excellent project and one which I am delighted to be part of,” he added.

“The historical recollections of local Chinese people were collected by the Museum service with Sai Pak providing interpretation and translation for the book,” explained Sue Divin, Community Relations Officer. “Copies are freely available in the museum, and the hope is that it will also challenge people to reflect on their own attitudes towards the wonderful diversity and character of the local Chinese Community in the north west.”

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page