Beijing Horticultural Expo 2019 Mascot Settles in Ottawa

OTTAWA, Canada, Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of October 4 local time, the China Beijing International Horticultural Expo 2019 mascot sculpture was unveiled and a signing ceremony was held outside the Horticultural Hall of the Lansdowne Park, the main venue of the Ottawa "Beijing Week". Vice Mayor of Beijing Cheng Hong gave the mascot to the Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson as a gift and invited him to open the ribbons of the gift. Applause rose as the curtains with the emblem of the expo fell and the "cute little bud" and "cute little sprout" came out. The two Beijing Expo 2019 mascots officially started their happy life in Canada and will permanently settle in Ottawa's Lansdowne Park.

The mascot theme background board used peony, maple leaves, rose and tulips as major design elements, symbolizing the friendship between China and Canada as well Beijing and Ottawa, according to Ye Dahua, deputy director with Beijing World Horticultural Expo Coordination Bureau. 

Beijing Expo 2019 mascots "cute little bud" and "cute little sprout" are inspired by auspicious dolls in the Hundred Kids painting known and liked by Chinese people. The "cute little bud" wears a hat ring made by leaves of Beijing's signature tree Chinese scholar tree, while the "cute little sprout" wears a garland made by Beijing's signature flower Chinese roses. They are in work dress and boots while holding kettle, gardening scissors and other tools. They are cute gardening little brother and sister.

The friendship between the two cities has been time-honored since Beijing and Ottawa became sister cities in 1999. This is the first time for the Beijing Expo 2019 mascot to settle in a foreign city.

After the unveiling of the mascot sculpture, Ye Dahua and Daniel Lamarre, President & Chief Executive Officer at Cirque du Soleil signed a strategic cooperation agreement witnessed by guests attending the "Beijing Week" in Ottawa. Based on "Live green, Live better", the theme of the Beijing Expo 2019, Cirque du Soleil will add Chinese cultural and horticultural elements while adhering to their authentic quality style to develop a unique program with Chinese characteristics. On this basis, the two sides will further deepen cooperation by producing tailor-made the sun circus in 2019 Beijing World Park will be tailored entertainment performances during the expo.

The Beijing Expo 2019 was an A1 category Expo approved by the Bureau International des Expositions and the International Association of Horticultural Producers. The Expo, which is being organized under the theme "Live Green, Live Better", will be open between 29 April and 7 October 2019 in the Yanqing District of Beijing. The Expo site is only ten kilometers from the Badaling Great Wall, thus also known as the "Expo at the foot of the Great Wall." Last July, on behalf of the Chinese government, Premier Li Keqiang issued an invitation to the world and as of now, 34 countries and international organizations including Germany, Algeria and Thailand have officially confirmed participation of the Expo, while 28 countries and international organizations have expressed willingness for participation, including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, the World Intellectual Property Organization, etc.

SOURCE Beijing World Horticultural Expo Coordination Bureau