On the 17th September, 2021, the EU’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Nicolas CHAPUIS attended the opening ceremony of a special exhibition on Multilingualism in the EU.

This joint exhibition by DG SCIC and DG Translation of the European Union is taking place in the Museum of World Languages of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), a longstanding partner of DG SCIC. Similarly to the success of the EU-China Interpreter Training Project also developed under the partnership between the EU and SISU, the work has been truly collaborative. The exhibition would not have been possible without the hard work, good will and flexibility shown by EU services in Brussels and Chinese partners in Shanghai.

In his remarks, Ambassador Chapuis reminded that the EU-China Interpreter Training Project does not only deliver top level conference interpreters, the exchanges between trainers and students from both sides, have also contributed to mutual understanding between the EU and China. Mutual understanding is the foundation of international relations. Interpreters play an important role, because they can eliminate language barriers, they can help creating a level playing field for an inclusive dialogue.

The inauguration ceremony of this special exhibition was hosted by the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) Party Secretary Mr. JIANG Feng and SISU President, Mr Li Yansong. Directors General Veva RUIZ CALAVERA (DG SCIC) and Rytis MARTIKONIS (DGT) also attended the event online, among other participants joining from various offices in Brussels, Shanghai and Beijing.

The exhibition explores the importance of Multilingualism in the European Union, tracing the development of both interpretation and translation services from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the present day. It concludes with a look to the challenges and opportunities created by the ever more widespread use of Artificial Intelligence.

We invite you to take a virtual tour to this fascinating, interactive and modern exhibition here: Virtual tour - The exhibition 360-degrees