2014-01-02

LANXESS Young Euro Classic China Concert 2013

Firm commitment to Sino-German exchanges and local culture promotion

November 18, 2013, Shanghai—German specialty chemicals company LANXESS is bringing the Young Euro Classic concert to China’s audience for the seventh consecutive year. Following the successful series of classical concerts in previous years, this year’s YEC will stage China’s traditional Kunqu opera for the first time on top of European classical music.

Having history of more than 700 years and originated in the Yangtze Delta, Kunqu Opera is one of the most well-known opera styles in China, enjoying equally popularity with Peking Opera. It is recognized by UNESCO as world’s intangible cultural heritage.

“We feel privileged that we could provide a stage for sharing different art styles and facilitating cultural exchanges,” said Chien Ming Cheng, CEO of LANXESS Greater China. “Our commitment to China goes beyond serving local customers with premium products and extends to local cultural promotion and social responsibility in China.”

The tour will start from performance at Shanghai German Consulate on November 19, co-hosted by Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai.

The concert, themed under Kunqu Opera meeting Baroque music, will feature China’s best-loved classical Kunqu Opera Poeny Pavilion by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre and Baroque music by talented violinist and violist Sergej Malov from Berlin.

“I am glad to host the Young Euro Classic China concert together with LANXESS. The Young Euro Classic concerts have been a good platform to strengthen the Sino-German relationship and enhance the exchanges between the two nations,” said Dr. Wolfgang Röhr, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai. “The performance showcases a perfect combination of China’s Kunqu Opera and Western Baroque music, echoing the friendship and harmony between China and Germany.”

The talented young performer Sergej Malov will present the finale of the tour at InterContinental Shanghai Expo Hotel on November 21 as a part of LANXESS’ Pigment Symposium. Roughly 150 participants from the coating industry, academia and trade associations will join along with LANXESS experts to share and discuss innovative and sustainable technology enabling a cleaner environment.

“We find similarities between chemistry and classic music - they are both the product of extraordinary innovation,” said Chien Ming Cheng. “As a specialty chemical company, LANXESS aims to energize chemistry with our innovative products. While as a responsible corporate citizen, we are putting our efforts to energize the artistic development through encouraging and fostering talented young people in the art sector.”

LANXESS, as the founder and initiator of Young Euro Classic Orchestra China-Germany, introduced Young Euro Classic into China in 2007. Since then, the event has magnetized the most talented young musicians from Germany and China to perform in China’s major cities every year. The Beijing performance in 2007 was attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a special event celebrating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Germany.

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 9.1 billion in 2012 and roughly 17,500 employees in 31 countries. The company is currently represented at 52 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. LANXESS is a member of the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and FTSE4Good as well as the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI).

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to confirm them to future events or developments.

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