Conor Lenihan TD, Irish Minister of the State Department of
Foreign Affairs, on Thursday awarded Shanghai college student Zhang
Yanping the first prize in this year's George Bernard Shaw Essay
Competition.
With her work entitled "The Irish Women", Zhang, a junior
student of elite Fudan University, won the prize amid fierce
competition involving nearly 100 participants.
"It means a lot to me. The competition has broadened my horizons
and deepened my understanding about the Irish culture," said
Zhang.
John Banville, famous Irish writer and winner of the 2005 Man
Booker Prize for his novel "The Sea", were also invited to give a
lecture entitled "Fiction and the Dream" at the prize-giving
ceremony held in Fudan, one of China's most prestigious
universities.
"There is very strong and growing connection between Ireland and
China," said Conor Lenihan TD, who was paying a three-day visit to
Shanghai.
More Irish cultures are on the way to Shanghai, including the
Festival of Samuel Beckett's Works, which is to start on April 10.
His work "Waiting for Godot" will be put on stage in the form of a
Chinese opera during the festival.
(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2006)
