As one of the Norwegian Pavilion’s main sponsors, Visit Norway early saw Shanghai World Expo as a golden opportunity to promote Norway as a tourist destination to the Chinese public. During these five days a wide range of activities were held, and according to Innovation Norway’s Project Manager Joon Hetland the response has been overwhelming, both from the participators, the general public as well as Chinese media: ”We are very satisfied to attract so much attention. The response from the media has been above all expectations, and we have also got very good feedback from the participants on our business seminars”.
The Chinese were also eager to learn more about Norwegian lifestyle and culture. The Norwegian welfare model was something that especially caught a lot of interest, as China with its rapidly aging population now is in a phase where the need for a well functioning elderly care system is becoming increasingly more evident. Traditional Norwegian folk dance and music also proved to be something that was very popular among the Chinese visitors. Dressed up in the Norwegian traditional costume “bunad”, Chinese and Norwegian artists had hourly performances outside the Norwegian Pavilion to the general public’s great enjoyment.
ICS news anchor Lisa Jo launched Visit Norway's new website in Chinese - visitnorway.cn. Photo: Joon HetlandNorwegian seafood has already a strong reputation in China, and maybe the most common association to Norway among Chinese people is salmon. The most mouth-watering activity this week was definitely Thursday’s “Norwegian Seafood Masterclass”, where world class Norwegian and Chinese chefs teamed up to learn and find new innovative ways of cooking Norwegian seafood delicacies. Around 50 chefs from 5-star hotels and restaurants attended this workshop that was held in the Norwegian Pavilion’s seafood restaurant. Norwegian Vice minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Halvard Ingebrigtsen was attending to open both the masterclass and the launch of the Norwegian Pavilion’s official music video “Powered by Nature”.
Please click here to see “Powered by Nature”.
For more information please visit www.visitnorway.cn