The U.S.-China Cultural Foundation (CCF) and Red Apple Group are delighted to share the resounding success of "A Night of Cultural Splendor," held at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on November 21, 2023. The event drew an impressive crowd of 2,800 attendees, despite challenging weather conditions. Including music enthusiasts, UN delegations, and local Asian-American community representatives. This significant evening commemorated the 20th anniversary of CCF and marked the prestigious inauguration of the Maurice R. Greenberg Global Leadership Award. Executive Producer, Co-Founder and President of CCF, Elizabeth B. Wang provided an insightful retrospective of CCF's remarkable 20-year journey. The event also honored the memory of Sir James D. Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank, and celebrated the establishment of the Maurice R. Greenberg Global Leadership Award. John Catsimatidis, Co-Chair of the event alongside his wife Margo and daughter Andrea, announced a visionary initiative to lead a delegation to China aimed at bringing Pandas to New York City, symbolizing strengthened ties between the U.S. and China.

 

The gala was a spectacle of artistic brilliance, featuring special appearance by the cast members of the Tony-winning musical "CHICAGO" performance by Madame Gandhi, and the Juilliard School of Music students. The event’s highlight was the Maurice R. Greenberg Global Leadership Award presentation. Esteemed recipients included John Catsimatidis, Chairman of the Red Apple Group; David J. Firestein, President of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations; Gloria Starr Kins, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of Society and Diplomatic Review; Ellen Qiongzhao Schicktanz, Vice Chairman of Rodin International Artists Foundation; and Charles P. Wang, a notable Asian-American community leader.

 

Jonathan Krane, Chairman of CCF’s Global Advisory Board, shared a personal message from Mr. Greenberg and announced the Mayoral Proclamation designating November 21, 2023, as Chinese Cultural Foundation Day!

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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our esteemed Honorees, dedicated partners, and our leading sponsors, inlcuding the Starr Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York State Council on the Arts, Gong Family Foundation, KraneShares, Chubb, Hang Lung Group, Rodin International Artists Foundation, and others.

 

The Production Management team, under the leadership of Dr. Vladimir Dyo and Dr. Yevgeniy Dyo from Global Music Partnership, ensured a seamless and unforgettable evening,. Special thanks to Chris Libertini of 77 WABC Radio; Alecia Parker and Kenneth Sperr of CHICAGO Limited Partnership; Sophie Qi and Ken Dingledine of Harmonia Holdings, Ltd; Andy Muller of NMR Event; and Kingsland Foods provided invaluable in-kind support. Also special thanks to our video production team lead by Susan Peehi of LUMINOSITY PICTURES; Thanks Jill Nelson, Steven Fang, Wang Huigen and others for providing additional images and footages.

 

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