Qingdao International Beer Festival
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The Qingdao International Beer Festival (simplified Chinese: 青岛国际啤酒节; traditional Chinese: 青島國際啤酒節; pinyin: qīngdǎo guójì píjiǔjiē) is a yearly festival held in Qingdao (simplified Chinese: 青岛, wade-guiles: Tsingtao), in Shandong province, China. The Qingdao International Beer Festival is held on the second weekend of August every year. The event is jointly sponsored by national state ministries and the Qingdao Municipal Government.
In 2008, the festival will not be held on the second weekend of August, which is concurrent with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but from September 19 to October 5, 2008 [1].
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[edit] History
The festival began in 1991 when the Tsingtao Brewery first applied for permission for a Beer Festival in 1991 and received approval and great support from the Qingdao municipal administration, even to the extent that the city became the main sponsor. [2] The first festival was opened on June 23rd, 1991, and has been held annually ever since.
According to the official website, the festival integrates tourism, culture, sports, business and trading activities. The slogan of the festival is “Qingdao – Ganbei with the World!” (simplified Chinese: 青岛和世界干杯!). After 16 years of experience, the Qingdao International Beer Festival has become a well-known brand name and enjoys a wide reputation both nationally and internationally.
Past festivals have featured artistic parades, "Beer Carnival" games, beer tasting, drinking contests, music, food, and interactive performances, as well as merchandise stalls for various breweries.
[edit] Venue
The festival is held at the Qingdao International Beer City on the corner of XiangGang Lu and Haier Lu (青岛国际啤酒城, 香港中路195号, 中国山东省青岛市). Events also take place in HuiQuan square (simplified Chinese: 汇泉广场). Hui Quan Square is one of the city's premier public spaces and hosts a venue for drinking and fireworks during the Tsingtao Beer Festival. Renovated in 2004, the square now features a large TV screen for events and entertainment.
Admission ranges from 10 RMB to 20 RMB depending on the time of day.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.96963.com/trs/hg/2008/aoyuncity/qd/200805/t20080507_18676.htm an unofficial site covering the Olympics and associated organizations (Chinese)
- ^ http://www.qdbeer.cn/en_2007/index.php3 Tsingtao Brewery's official website for the 2007 International Beer Festival
