“重慶讓我一生難忘” 專訪英國駐渝總領(lǐng)事館文化教育領(lǐng)事米博娜

□ 文/本刊記者 李靜

英國文化協(xié)會西南地區(qū)的主任及英國駐渝總領(lǐng)事館文化教育領(lǐng)事米博娜。

作為英國文化協(xié)會西南地區(qū)的主任及英國駐渝總領(lǐng)事館文化教育領(lǐng)事，米博娜已在重慶工作了四個(gè)年頭。因?yàn)槭堑谝淮伪慌傻街袊ぷ?，又是在重慶，對于米博娜來說，對中國的感受和感情都是源于這座城市。即將離任之時(shí)，談到在重慶的工作與生活，她感到十分親切。九月，本刊記者專訪了她。

致力于英國與重慶的教育合作

“四年來，我所在的英國文化協(xié)會一直致力于在英國與重慶之間的文化、教育領(lǐng)域開展工作。2012的倫敦奧運(yùn)年，通過慶祝奧運(yùn)會這一主題，我們將更多的英國文化引入重慶，讓一場體育盛事變成了一場文化盛會，加強(qiáng)了兩地的文化交流。”提到當(dāng)時(shí)的情況，米博娜至今記憶猶新?！安粌H如此，我們還把英國著名藝術(shù)家們設(shè)計(jì)的12副體育明星的海報(bào)帶到重慶展出，并邀請重慶高校設(shè)計(jì)專業(yè)的大學(xué)生們來參觀，為重慶的年青藝術(shù)家們帶來新的靈感，我們很高興參與這場集體育、文化、創(chuàng)意為一體的盛會?！?/p>

除了文化領(lǐng)域，英國文化協(xié)會還在教育方面展開交流，不僅關(guān)注中英兩國年輕人之間，也關(guān)注兩國教育機(jī)構(gòu)間的交流。米博娜告訴記者，此前雙方曾在知識經(jīng)濟(jì)方面展開合作，讓英國與重慶的大學(xué)生共同設(shè)計(jì)新能源汽車。這一次的合作不僅是在大學(xué)之間展開，也涉及到長安汽車等工業(yè)企業(yè)，另一方面也加強(qiáng)了大學(xué)生們對知識產(chǎn)權(quán)的保護(hù)意識。“讓我最感動(dòng)的是，在這次合作中，很多的英國大學(xué)生愛上了中國，并希望畢業(yè)后能有機(jī)會來到中國工作，這讓我覺得自己從事的這份工作非常有意義”。米博娜說。

不僅如此，英國文化教育處還把工作重點(diǎn)放在建立英中校際關(guān)系和發(fā)展高等職業(yè)教育及中等教育方面，使重慶及西南地區(qū)英中文化及教育方面的交流得到進(jìn)一步拓展。也為中國的大學(xué)生提供相同的國際合作機(jī)會，增加相互之間的理解。

“在英國，我們開展了一個(gè)名叫‘英國下一代’的項(xiàng)目，就是讓英國的大學(xué)生到中國學(xué)習(xí)一段時(shí)間，以此更多的了解中國。這是一個(gè)五年計(jì)劃，我相信這對他們的人生是一次重要的影響，這也是我們與中國保持友好聯(lián)系的一種方式。除此以外，我們也與中國漢辦共同合作，為中國受眾提供考試服務(wù)，為他們提供一個(gè)全球化的平臺進(jìn)行學(xué)習(xí)深造?！闭劦綄W(xué)習(xí)漢語，米博娜也表示，自己在重慶待了四年，卻沒能有機(jī)會系統(tǒng)地學(xué)習(xí)中文，這也是她唯一的遺憾?！盎赜院螅視^續(xù)宣揚(yáng)漢語，讓更多英國人學(xué)習(xí)中文，因?yàn)橹袊屛乙簧y忘。”米博娜一臉動(dòng)情地說道。

創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)打造城市文化品牌

四年的時(shí)間雖然不長，卻也足夠讓米博娜感受純正的重慶文化。提到重慶，她的腦海里總會浮現(xiàn)出無數(shù)的印象，卻又無法用一個(gè)準(zhǔn)確的詞語來概括對這座城市的看法?！爸貞c如此快速地發(fā)展，激動(dòng)人心。我認(rèn)為重慶獨(dú)特的城市品牌也來源于它獨(dú)特的地理環(huán)境，既是一座江城，也是一座山城，自然環(huán)境讓人沉醉?！泵撞┠日J(rèn)為，一座城市不僅要快速發(fā)展，也要宜居，拔地而起的高樓和開辟的道路如果越來越不適合人們行走，就會丟失掉自己的文化特性，而重慶需要把自身的各種特點(diǎn)系統(tǒng)化在一起。

“‘創(chuàng)意經(jīng)濟(jì)’和‘創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)’的發(fā)展可以解決這樣的問題?！泵撞┠缺硎?，創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)是能夠提供創(chuàng)意的思想，同時(shí)也給這個(gè)城市提供很多資源，英國與重慶在這方面正進(jìn)行緊密合作，使重慶更宜居，交通更便捷。“重慶政府已經(jīng)意識到創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)這一領(lǐng)域發(fā)展的重要性，但這必須是持續(xù)性的?！泵撞┠雀械叫牢康氖牵谖幕幑ぷ鞯臅r(shí)期內(nèi)，重慶與英國的關(guān)系已在創(chuàng)意領(lǐng)域得到實(shí)現(xiàn)。在英國，人們樂意投資于創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)，這對本國的GDP增長貢獻(xiàn)很高。這四年里，她一直不斷地邀請一些在此領(lǐng)域有所見地的英國專家來到重慶進(jìn)行交流，讓雙方更了解重慶，并明白怎樣激發(fā)靈感來發(fā)展重慶的創(chuàng)意文化產(chǎn)業(yè)。

“我相信，雖然兩國人民對這一產(chǎn)業(yè)的理解有所不同，但仍然希望從相互的交流中激發(fā)人們的創(chuàng)造力，而這是我們共同的初衷。我希望把重慶建成一個(gè)全國范圍內(nèi)的創(chuàng)意產(chǎn)業(yè)發(fā)展的平臺，以此引領(lǐng)中國文化的發(fā)展。”米博娜對此充滿信心。

重慶是一個(gè)有著原汁原味本土特色的大城市，這里有川劇、有壩壩舞，而這些都將重慶文化淋漓盡致地表現(xiàn)了出來。

米博娜希望重慶能加大在全球舞臺宣傳自己的力度，通過在大學(xué)之間的交流，在一些領(lǐng)域上，如環(huán)保、交通、基礎(chǔ)建設(shè)等方面的研究上更充分地表達(dá)自己。重慶有這樣的潛力，可以最大程度地宣揚(yáng)自己的文化，從而打造出屬于自己城市文化的品牌。

重慶精神激勵(lì)了我

談到文化，米博娜稱，每個(gè)國家、每座城市都有屬于自己的文化特色，就像英國，在擁有厚重的傳統(tǒng)文化的同時(shí)，也將自己的其他文化特色多元化，營造了創(chuàng)意文化的環(huán)境，正是在這種接受與創(chuàng)新的過程中將自己的傳統(tǒng)文化延續(xù)至今。而山城就是重慶作為一座城市的文化獨(dú)特之處。在米博娜的眼里，重慶是一個(gè)有著原汁原味本土特色的大城市，這里有川劇、有壩壩舞，而這些都將重慶文化淋漓盡致地表現(xiàn)了出來?！爸貞c能夠從一個(gè)名不經(jīng)傳的小港口發(fā)展成為一座國際化的大都市，這其中也是需要巨大創(chuàng)意和開拓精神的。”米博娜不禁感嘆道。

不僅是城市本身，重慶女性在工作中的創(chuàng)造力也讓她印象深刻?！拔蚁胍苍S是受重慶地形的影響吧，整日爬坡上坎，造就了這里的女性吃苦耐勞，勇敢打拼的精神與魄力?！笔芩齻兊膯l(fā)，米博娜還在重慶就職期間創(chuàng)建了“女性職業(yè)發(fā)展”項(xiàng)目，鼓勵(lì)更多的重慶職業(yè)女性，并得到了她們的贊同與支持。

即將離開重慶，米博娜非常不舍，交談間表達(dá)了對重慶的留戀：“我與中國的緣分是在重慶展開的，在這里工作和生活的四年時(shí)間已經(jīng)成為我人生中最難忘的一段時(shí)光，我永遠(yuǎn)不會忘記重慶?！泵髂瓯闶侵袊c英國的文化交流年，雖然那時(shí)已離開了中國，米博娜表示一定會時(shí)刻關(guān)注重慶，并盡可能地幫助英國與重慶兩地開展更多的交流項(xiàng)目，讓更多的英國人了解重慶。

CHONGQING…UNFORGETTABLE!An Interview with the Consul of Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate-General, Paula Middleton

Ms. Paula Middleton has served as the Area Director of the Southwest China British Cultural Association and Consul of the Cultural and Educational Section of the British Consulate-General for the past four years. Ms. Middleton’s feelings about China are derived solely from Chongqing, since this is the only city in China in which she has lived and worked. On August 25th, she shared her experiences with us in a most interesting interview.

Dedicated to Educational Cooperation between the UK and Chongqing

“During the four years that I have worked in the British Cultural Association, we have been dedicated to the fields of education and cultural exchange between the UK and Chongqing. We brought more British culture to Chongqing through the theme of celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, turning a sports event into a cultural event to strengthen cultural exchanges between both sides. We also brought 12 posters of sports stars designed by famous British artists to Chongqing and invited local college students to visit, bringing new inspiration to young artists. We were very pleased to have participated in this event, combining sports, culture and creativity.” Ms. Middleton told us.

The British Cultural Association also focuses on communication between young people of the UK and China, as well as exchanges between educational institutions of both countries. She told reporters they had a program in which university students from both the UK and Chongqing had the opportunity to design new, energy efficient vehicles. This cooperative program was not only between the universities, but Changan Automobile Corporation was also involved, which enhanced the student awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. “What impressed me most was many British university students fell in love with China after this cooperative effort and many hoped to have the opportunity to work in China after graduation. This made me feel how meaningful my job really is.” Ms. Middleton said proudly.

“In the United Kingdom, we have a project called, ‘Next Generation of the UK’, which is a f i ve year plan, allowing British college students to study in China to learn more about this country. I believe the effect on their lives was signif i cant. This is one way to maintain friendship with China. In addition, we worked with China Hanban, providing examination services to Chinese audiences as a global platform for postgraduate study.”

On the subject of learning Chinese, Ms. Middleton regretted she did not have the opportunity to learn Chinese during her four years stay in Chongqing. “I will continue to promote Chinese so more British people are encouraged to learn the language. China will always be an unforgettable part of my life.” Ms. Middleton said emotionally.

The Creative Industry Can Create a Unique Cultural Brand for Chongqing

Although many words came up, Ms. Middleton couldn’t f i nd one precise word to sum up her impressions of Chongqing. “Chongqing is developing so quickly; it’s so exciting! I think the unique city brand of Chongqing comes from its unique geographical location. It is a river city and also a mountain city. The natural environment is captivating!” Ms. Middleton believes a city not only needs to develop rapidly, but also needs to be livable. If the buildings and roads become more unsuitable for living, it will lose its cultural identity. Chongqing needs to systemize its own special features.

“The development of ‘creative economy’ and ‘creative industry’ can solve this problem.” Ms. Middleton said. The creative industry is able to provide creative ideas, while offering the city many resources. The UK and Chongqing are cooperating closely to make Chongqing more livable and convenient. Solid relationships between Chongqing and the UK have been developed in the creative f i eld.

She has continued to bring British experts in this field to Chongqing to communicate with local leaders during the past four years to better understand Chongqing, be inspired and learn how to develop a creative cultural industry in Chongqing.

“I believe, although we have a different understanding of this industry, we want to inspire people through mutual exchanges. That is our common goal. I hope to build Chongqing into a nationwide platform for the development of a creative industry, to lead the development of modern Chinese culture.” Ms. Middleton has full conf i dence in this effort.

She hopes Chongqing can strengthen its efforts to promote itself on the global stage through university exchanges in certain areas, such as environmental protection, transportation, infrastructure and research. Chongqing has the potential to fully express itself, to best publicize its culture, thus creating its own brand of urban culture.

Chongqing’s Spirit Inspires Me

When talking about culture, Ms. Middleton said, every country, every city has its own cultural characteristics. “In the UK we have our own cultural diversity as well as a profound traditional culture, which makes a creative environment that continues its traditional culture to the present day, even while in the process of receptivity and innovation. The mountains and rivers are culturally unique to Chongqing.” In her eyes, Chongqing is a large city with authentic local characteristics; such as Sichuan Opera and Plaza dancing, all vividly demonstrating Chongqing culture. “Chongqing is turning from a not well known small port city into an international metropolis. It also requires great creativity and a pioneering spirit.” Ms. Middleton said with emotion.

In addition to the city itself, another aspect that impresses her is Chongqing women’s creativity at work. “Maybe it is influenced by the Chongqing terrain, I suppose, all day climbing hills makes women here very hard working. They have a very courageous spirit and courage.” Inspired by them, Ms. Middleton started her ‘Women Career Development’ project in Chongqing to encourage more professional women, which has received their approval and support.

Since she will be leaving Chongqing soon, Ms. Middleton expressed her nostalgic feelings for the city. “I started my fate with China by working in Chongqing. I’ve worked here for four years and it has become the most memorable time in my life. I will never forget Chongqing. Next year is going to be the cultural exchange year between China and the United Kingdom. I will always pay attention to Chongqing and try to help carry out more exchange opportunities between the two sides, so more British people will know about Chongqing.” ”

重慶獨(dú)特的城市品牌來源于它獨(dú)特的地理環(huán)境，既是一座江城，也是一座山城，自然環(huán)境讓人沉醉。 攝影：王正坤