FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Renee Graham, Public Communications Officer - (573) 874-7316

Kite master will bring traditional Chinese kites to Columbia

COLUMBIA, MO (September 29, 2010) - Renowned kite master Qian Jianguo from the Weifang Kite Museum in the Shandong Province of China will visit Columbia next week as a guest of Columbia Friends of China. Master Qian and his wife, kite artist Lang Fenglian, will share the art and science of traditional Chinese kites during school appearances and public events throughout the week of Oct. 4. Their visit will culminate with two demonstrations during the One Sky, One World Kite Flying Day Sunday, Oct. 10.

Schedule of Events
* Indoor Kite Flying Demonstration, Thursday, Oct. 7, 7- 8 p.m., Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), 1701 W. Ash Street
* Kite Demonstration on the Carnahan Quadrangle, Friday, Oct. 8, noon, south of Jesse Hall, Conley Avenue
* Free Kite Making Workshop, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2- 5 p.m., Columbia Art League, 111 S. 9th Street (Class is limited to 30 people. Registration is required. Call 573-808-6307.)
* Kite Tying and Flying Demonstrations by Master Qian at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.,
One Sky, One World Kite Flying Day, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Cosmo-Bethel Park, Sunday, Oct. 10, 4500 Bethel Street

This is the fifth year that Columbia Parks and Recreation has sponsored the One Sky, One World (OSOW) event at Cosmo-Bethel Park. Kite enthusiasts from Columbia and across the state will participate. Columbia Friends of China will sell kites at the park, so everyone can join in the fun.

The One Sky, One World Kite Fly for Peace began 25 years ago in Denver. According to the website, http://oneskyoneworld.org, OSOW supports the annual worldwide kite flying day on the second Sunday of October as a way to promote community enjoyment, understanding and friendship between people, environmental awareness and world peace.

City of Columbia Public Communications Officer Renee Graham said the kite master visit is a perfect example of the partnership that exists between the city of Columbia and the non-profit group, Columbia Friends of China.

“We are grateful to Columbia Friends of China for all they do to support our Sister City-related programs. They worked hard to get the kite master here. By coordinating his visit with One Sky, One World activities, they bring a new dimension of excitement to this annual event,” Graham said.

Hsiao-Mei Wiedmeyer, president of Columbia Friends of China, said supporting relations between Columbia, our Sister City in Laoshon, as well as the Shandong Province and other parts of China, is important.

“We are always looking for opportunities to promote cultural exchanges between people from the U.S. and China. By hosting these distinguished guests from the
Weifang Kite Museum, we hope to take a medium that encompasses art, history, science, engineering and family fun, and use it to build new friendships and mutual appreciation between our two cultures,” Wiedmeyer explained.

For information about the kite master’s visit and itinerary, contact Hsiao-Mei Wiedmeyer at 573-808-6307, or visit http://friendsofchina.missouri.org. Information about the One Sky, One World Kite Flying Day is available by calling Tammy Miller at 573-874-7465, or by visiting Parks and Recreation at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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