The film is based on a 12-part television series called On the Amber Side shown on Latvian Television last year. The video material was taken from an expedition that was carried out as part of the Riga 2014 European Capital of Culture programme. This tells the story of two Latvians and their journey along the ancient Amber Road from the Baltic Sea coast of Latvia to southern India, exploring the cultural, historical and modern aspects of amber.
The Planet Amber documentary was created by the VFS Films production company and directed by Uģis Olte.
A special surprise awaits the audience at the presentation: Latvian amber artist Anita Anna Kovjazina has prepared amber kits containing instructions on how to create your own amber jewellery.
Photo: Uģis Olte
The 1st China-Central and Eastern European Countries Investment and Trade EXPO (China-CEEC Expo) is to be held on 8-12 June in Ningbo. The presentation of the film at the fair is supported by the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council. The China-CEEC Expo 2015 fair is organised by the Ningbo Culture Plaza International Culture Exchange Center in order to introduce Chinese society to foreign culture, and especially that of the Central and Eastern European countries chosen by the Ningbo municipal government as its priority partners in the field of economic and cultural cooperation.
The Planet Amber presentation in China forms part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency cultural programme which has contemporaneity, uniqueness and excellence as its core values. It aims to present Latvia as a reliable partner in cooperation, a cultural tourism destination and a source of inspiration, top-class professionalism and cultural achievement.
Furthermore, 2015 marks the 40th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China. Initially, the EU-China relations developed in the framework of economic cooperation, but with time they have also incorporated foreign policy, defence, education, human rights and environment protection issues.
