World Expo Training and Upcoming Gigs!

Friends!

As the temperature went up a few degrees, rendering the previously white snow-covered streets of Stockholm an everyday realist gray, so did my calendar pages shift from an otherwise clear white to a cluttered black. It’s been a hectic few days with choir rehearsals, other music stuff, social activities and most important – the first training session for us Guides at the Swedish Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Held at the Ministry of Finance, training and lectures were given on topics ranging from National Branding and Public Diplomacy to Sustainable Cities and inventive prowess. It was very interesting to finally get a grasp of the main ideas, concepts and visions about to be brought forth at Sweden’s participation at the expo. It was really nice meeting with representatives from Official Partners and Sponsors and the Swedish Government, but personally the real delight came from meeting more than half of my soon-to-be fellow co-workers!

I do not know exactly what it is, but there is a certain “air” about all twenty-six of us guides participating in the training which, at least to me, feels like we’re all somehow linked through our personalities and characteristics and whatnot. Being drafted out of more than 700 applicants would suggest this as well, and could be the reason why I feel so akin with the other guides. I can honestly say that leaving for choir rehearsal after two intense days of lectures, team building activities (dinners, bowling, unofficial bar attending) and socializing, I already started missing my new pals! I can’t wait to meet the bunch who is already in Shanghai!

In other news, since the Chinese New Year (the Spring Festival) is coming up soon, I’ve been asked by both the Chinese Embassy and the Konfucius Institute to perform during their respective galas. This time I’ll be singing “Tongzhuo de ni” instead of the good old “Wo de Zhongguo xin” (sorry, can’t write Chinese characters in Wordpress for some reason, but the two songs could be translated into “Your desk-mate” and “My Chinese heart”, both old hits). The Konfucius Institute one will be held at Kulturhuset in Stockholm, and it’s not all clear yet but I might also be the host for the entire thing. Yikes.

Here’s a video clip of my singing “Wo de Zhongguo xin” at the celebration of the Chinese National Day in October at Konserthuset in Stockholm, thanks again to my friend Jack Edgren for backing me up on guitar on such short notice! Read more about it here.

Well that’s all I guess! Time to rest, try and get well from this mean cold and to finish the delicious Semla which is right next to the laptop, begging for me to devour it…! Also here are some photos taken during the World Expo Training.

Love,

Paul