On September 29, 2015, during the United Nations Summit, the American Oriental Arts Foundation was designated by the United Nations to organize the summit reception banquet and artistic performances. The Foundation also undertook a gala at New York City’s municipal theater, where artists from more than twenty countries would perform for heads of state. Alice Liu, Chair of the Foundation, would serve as the gala’s chief planner and director!

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, as well as the 70th anniversary of victory in the war against fascism and the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Around the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, relevant UN agencies will hold various celebrations at UN Headquarters and around the world. The summit from September 27 to October 5 is particularly noteworthy. During the summit, artists and performing groups from more than twenty countries, invited by American Oriental Arts Foundation Chair Alice Liu, will present a large-scale “Bridge of Friendship” gala for the leaders attending the UN General Assembly.

At the Culture of Peace Summit on September 9, 2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “I believe that our powerful ideals of peace, in the face of these threats, will have no weapons, missiles or artillery. They are our shared values and our shared vision of peace, development and human rights, arising from our universal desire for a meaningful culture of peace.” “Billions of people expect the international community to fulfill the promise of the Millennium Declaration to build a better world. We must not let them down. Let us gather in September and keep our promise.”

United Nations Millennium Development Goals — “We Can Eradicate Poverty”

To this end, Alice Liu, Chair of the American Oriental Arts Foundation, held numerous discussions with the United Nations Secretariat, UNESCO and other UN bodies. With the absolute safety of the heads of state as a priority, the arrangements and implementation plan for the September 29 celebration gala were finally settled on July 28. Alice Liu will personally serve as its chief planner and director to ensure a safe and successful event and allow the heads of state to enjoy performances by leading artists from more than twenty countries.
At the same time, responding to President Xi Jinping’s remarks on “vigorously developing innovative cultural industries” and inspired by the Chinese Dream and the dream of art, the Foundation continues to explore paths to mutual benefit with the world and bring together the strength needed to realize the Chinese Dream.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and celebrations have taken place around the world. Drawing on sixteen years of experience organizing large-scale events and numerous collaborations with the UN, the American Oriental Arts Foundation of New York has organized a series of successful anniversary performances at the UN Headquarters Conference Centre, New York University and Lincoln Center’s Alice Hall. Guided by the UN Charter’s commitment to world peace, the Foundation seeks to promote cultural and artistic exchange among nations and embody the principle of “A Strong United Nations. A Better World.” Foundation Chair Alice Liu (pictured) personally served as chief planner and director. The performances received praise from UN officials and ambassadors to the UN, as well as positive coverage from major international media outlets.

Another important UN event this year is the summit in late September. On September 29, a “Bridge of Friendship” gala will be held in the UN banquet hall to celebrate the summit, giving world leaders an opportunity to enjoy performances by leading artists from many countries.

This distinctive and demanding production differs from other large-scale performances in both character and theme. Its audience will include Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Barack Obama and heads of state from more than one hundred countries—an unprecedented occasion in the history of international performance.

Following the Foundation’s successful series of performances celebrating the UN’s 70th anniversary, and with the support of relevant UN institutions, the American Oriental Arts Foundation was awarded the opportunity to organize the “Bridge of Friendship” gala for the heads of state.

Foundation Chair Alice Liu will again serve as its chief planner and director.

As the representatives of more than one hundred countries and peoples gather to discuss opposition to war and racial discrimination, shared development, world peace and human well-being, the gala has adopted “A World in Harmony” as its central theme. Its program takes a global view, drawing on the cultures of five continents and expressing political, national and cultural understanding through the performing arts!

Another highlight is the gala’s distinctive style. Its production team has confirmed the participation of internationally known performers including Matthew Lien, Luz Casal, Betty Higgins and Vitas Vladasovich Grachyov. Heads of state will be able to enjoy Chinese instrumental music, Peking opera and performances by artists from more than twenty countries.

We look forward to September 29!

The Chinese Dream — Exploring Innovation Through Chinese–Western Cultural Cooperation

Since its founding, the Foundation has been committed to promoting Asian cultural and artistic exchange. Based in New York and with a focus on Chinese culture, it works to connect China’s arts sector with international audiences and create more opportunities for Chinese artists through exhibitions. It introduces Chinese art and artists to the global art world, enables New York’s arts community and the public to experience the richness of Chinese art, and supports the international development of Chinese contemporary art.

The arts festival organizers hope this cultural celebration will create an effective space for in-person exchange among political and business leaders, financial professionals, university talent and artists across the greater New York area. Through Chinese–American art exhibitions, an original artistic opening ceremony and an evening reception, the festival will show international friends committed to Chinese cultural exchange how Chinese civilization and Western art can meet and inspire one another.

The Foundation has always been committed to advancing art worldwide and using art’s distinctive language and forms to convey the shared ideals and aspirations of humanity. It also seeks to contribute to the United Nations and its 70th anniversary celebrations. Chair Alice Liu said, “As an artist, I strive to reveal humanity’s truth, goodness and beauty through art, and to fill the world with love.”

The cultural exchange network established around the world by Alice Liu and the Foundation plays an increasingly important role in advancing the culture of peace advocated by the United Nations, making the American Oriental Arts Foundation a shining presence along the twenty-first-century Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road.