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"View on China" and "Food Safety in China"-- the 70th Cultural Salon of Confucius Institute Munich
Sep. 20, 2012, Munich


In recent decade, China has undergone rapid development. Modern high-rise buildings with a combination of traditional hutong alleys has formed a unique culture, which displays a perfect fusion of ancient flavor and emerging elements. September 14, 2012, on the 70th Cultural Salon anniversary, Confucius Institute Munich held the "View on China" photography exhibition opening ceremony. As a freelance photojournalist, Mrs. Edith von Welser-Ude has visited China dozens of times. With her camera, she used the unique perspective to record her every trip to China. More than 20 pieces of her photographs with the theme of China were exhibited. On that day, Mrs. von Welser-Ude came to the scene and vividly explained the pictures to the audience in person.

After the photo exhibition opening ceremony, it was the guest lecture "Food Safety in China" by Mr. ZhOU Qing. With his reportage "How can we meet our dietary needs in the future --- scandals involving food"("民以何食为天"), which was published in 2006, Mr. ZhOU Qing won the Ulysses Award for the Art of Reportage in the same year.


Food culture in China has occupied an important position since ancient times. The Chinese saying "Hunger breeds discontentment" ("民以食为天") reflects the close relationship between Chinese people and the food. Mr. ZhOU Qing has been working on food security for years and assembled large amounts of data into a book, which was his award-winning reportage.


Mr. ZhOU articularly pointed out in his lecture that the extensive use of additives in the modern industrialization of food may cause chronic damage to the health of consumers, which is a globalization problem. He said, " The people of the world need together to improve the health consciousness of food consumption and urge the formation of a more effective and stringent food regulatory system." Finally, Mr. ZhOU suggested buying fresh food as much as possible.


At the end of the 70th Cultural Salon, a small celebration of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) was held. Confucius Institute Munich offered delicious moon cakes and Chinese dim sum, which let the audience feel the joy of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival by the food culture in advance.



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