UK Now, the biggest ever festival of British arts and creative industries to take place in China, has officially marked its successful launch at a garden party held on 17 May at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Beijing. From April to November 2012 UK Now is bringing hundreds of events to 17 Chinese cities reaching audiences of tens of millions.

Organised by the British Council (which operates in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy), the Festival gives a taste of the quality and breadth of creative Britain, home to one of the most active and innovative arts scenes in the world. Bringing artists, arts institutions and arts lovers together, UK Now will forge closer cultural links between China and the UK, in a significant year which celebrates China and the UK being consecutive hosts of the Olympic Games and the 40^th anniversary of Ambassadorial relations between the UK and China.

The Festival expresses the UK’s commitment to supporting access and diversity in the arts, with projects from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its full programme spans the art forms architecture, dance, design, fashion, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts.

The Festival aims to educate, inspire and demonstrate how the arts transcend borders and connect people. Our audience in China is experiencing UK Now through exhibitions, concerts, performances, talks, workshops, interactive multimedia, collaborative projects, and online activities and competitions.

The Festival is managed by the British Council in partnership with Brunswick and HSBC, and generously supported by Burberry, Diageo, IELTS, IHG, Jaguar Land Rover, John Swire & Sons, Norton Rose, Prudential and Standard Chartered Bank.  It has been developed in collaboration with China’s Ministry of Culture and other Chinese partners.

To learn more about UK Now, please visit the official website www.uknow.org.cn