For three young award winners from Guyana, Zimbabwe and Indonesia, a visit to Hong Kong Ocean Park offered more than just a cultural experience—it was their first chance to see beloved giant pandas in person.
From Aug. 23 to 27, young artists from 13 countries are in HK for the award ceremony of the "National Treasures" Drawing Competition and a series of cultural exchange programmes. As part of the five-day itinerary, they visited Ocean Park to learn more about one of China's most iconic national treasures.
For Nitya Vaishnavi Narine from Guyana, the visit marked her first trip to HK as well as her first encounter with the giant panda. Seeing the animals up close left her particularly impressed by their size.
Maitanyasha Danielle Ruth Thadi from Zimbabwe had previously learned about giant pandas mainly through books and the internet. Those materials had sparked her curiosity about the animals, and the HK visit finally gave her the opportunity to see them in real life. Coming from Africa, where she had not encountered bears in her everyday environment, the experience was especially new and fascinating for her.
Quranaini Surya Putri from Indonesia was also struck by the pandas' size. She was particularly surprised by how large giant pandas can grow even at a relatively young age, adding a new dimension to her understanding of the animals.
Based in HK, the "National Treasures" Drawing Competition & International Cultural Exchange programme encourages young people from around the world to celebrate their own national cultures through art while exploring the civilizations of other countries and regions.
Related News:
Exclusive | Iranian father and daughter brave long journey to HK for art and cultural exchange
Photos | 'National Treasures' art showcase: Youth from multiple countries connect through art
Comment