The 2009 Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference brought together 29 delegates to discuss their understanding of relations between city and culture.

According to Georg Heuwing, Secretary for International Affairs, a delegate from Lund, Sweden, the development of a city symbolizes the urbanization trace, which is a consequence of industrial and economic growth. However, culture is equally essential. The relation between city and culture is like a television and a TV program. If there are very few and good TV programs, it is nonsense to buy a television.

Georg Heuwing, Secretary for International Affairs, and Chen Saiyan, reporter from cityhz.com

Below is the interview with Heuwing by Chen Saiyan, reporter from cityhz.com.

Q: What would Lund, Sweden like to learn from this conference?

A: The conference provides a valuable opportunity for the sister cities to listen to each other’s strategy and planning in culture preservation and city development. We feel Chinese cities are very good at making culture “visible”. We have seen some very successful performance and ceremony which presents culture in an easier way. We would like to learn some experience about this from our sister city .

Q: I saw you are the only city putting not only the brochures of your city, but also some small gifts and candies at the entrance. Why do you do that?

A: I’m so glad that you noticed that. If you see it clearly, on the gift, there is our city wall symbol. You can also find our city website on the candy wrapping paper. This is also a way to present our culture and promote our city. I think innovation can be everywhere.

Q: More and more cities are using PowerPoint tools and video to introduce their city view, city planning and preservation of culture heritage in the conference. Do you think this is also an outcome of such a conference?

A: I agree. Actually we also made a special video for the conference, which we will present later in the forum. This idea is from our American counterpart. I think one of the functions of this conference is people learn from each other and match with their own culture.

By Chen Saiyan