The organizers of the prestigious Orchid Awards, a celebration of international cultural exchange, unveiled a shortlist of nominees on Wednesday. The event, managed by the China International Communications Group (CICG), seeks to foster a deeper understanding between Chinese civilization and the global community.
The Orchid Awards have three main categories: Lifetime Honorary Prize, Outstanding Achievement Prize, and Friendship Envoy Prize. The awards aim to recognize the accomplishments, contributions, and global influence of non-Chinese nationals and organizations, as outlined in a CICG press release.
The awards have received significant attention worldwide since the call for applications in August 2022, said Chen Shi, Secretary-General of the Orchid Awards Secretariat and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CICG, at Wednesday’s press conference. Submissions were collected from 314 individuals and 33 organizations spanning various nations, including the United States, Japan, Germany, and South Africa.
Chen noted that all the candidates demonstrate attributes that align with the Orchid Awards’ selection criteria, which include impressive achievements, remarkable contributions, significant international influence, and stellar reputations. The award ceremony is slated to take place in September.
Lu Cairong, the Deputy Chair of the Orchid Awards Expert Committee and Vice President of CICG, announced the 30 shortlisted candidates. They encompass a diverse array of experts and prominent figures from various fields and countries. The shortlist includes candidates for the Lifetime Honorary Prize, such as Rashid Alimov, an international relations expert from Tajikistan, Florence Chia-ying Yeh, a Canadian Chinese Classic poetry expert, and Joseph W. Polisi, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences from the U.S.
Candidates for the Outstanding Achievement Prize include Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of Egypt, Flora Botton Beja, the Cultural Officer at the Mexican Embassy in China, and Malcolm Clarke, a renowned UK filmmaker. A total of 18 foreign candidates have also been shortlisted for the Friendship Envoy Prize.
A single organization made it to the shortlist – Y China Media, a cross-cultural social media outlet co-founded by young Chinese and Israeli entrepreneurs.
Chen expressed his belief that these cultural ambassadors deserve recognition for showcasing an authentic representation of China to the world. The Orchid Awards also encourage young foreign individuals who use their talents and innovation to promote cultural exchange.
Fan Di’an, Deputy Chair of the Orchid Awards Expert Committee and Chair of the China Artist Association, further explained the symbolism of the award’s logo. In traditional Chinese culture, the orchid epitomizes elegance, integrity, and nobility of character, harmonizing humanity and nature.
READ MORE: