It was a special night because of the program, but also because the Chinese student association had accomplished all of this on its own initiative. Yuzung Lin of the CSA: “In the context of the World Exhibition in Beijing in 2010 we wanted to show Chinese students in China how we live here in Eindhoven. For this we came up with the title ‘Eindhoven in the Eye of Chinese Students and Engineers’. By means of this project we want to show the merging of Dutch and Chinese culture through the eyes of Chinese people studying and working in Eindhoven. Of course, this evening fits in very appropriately.”

A special night calls for ditto guests. Visual artist and architect John Körmeling, who designed the Dutch pavilion for Beijing 2010, was presented with a Chinese flute. Eindhoven’s alderman Mittendorf was present, as was Ping Luo, Secretary for education of the Chinese embassy, and Rob ter Steege, head of the sector Art & Culture in Eindhoven. Ter Steege: “The energy with which this night is suffused, is extraordinary. Students who are able to convert their commitment into a project like this deserve our respect.” (RS)