关于武术巡演评论 (Wu-shu review)
Martial Arts and the Love of Nations
爱国爱武术
The Western Mail Thursday, 26 January 2002
A BLACK-BELT martial arts team from China is to tour the UK next month, thanks to the hard work of a Chinese entrepreneur living in Mid Wales.
Liu Li Wood, who has formed her own Llandrindod Wells-based performing arts promotion company, is bringing the TianJin university of technology Wushu team to Wales and England for a14 – date tour starting at Newport Centre on February 22.
The team found in 1994, has won many national gold medals and is said to be one of the best in China. Ms Wood used to be a martial arts practitioner herself when she was growing up in China, but realising that she would not make the professional grade, she decided to focus her attention on her academic studies and her business future.
After obtaining a degree from shanghai university she lectured for four years before coming to the UK to study seven years ago.
Following a postgraduate degree in business information systems from Salford University, she came to Wales and took up a business studies course at Coleg Powys in Llandrindod Wells.
Spotting an opportunity to use yer bilingual skills to organise cultural exchanges with her homeland, she set up her own promotions company – MsL – last June, with support from training and education organisation Elwa.
As a returned to the labour market she qualified for a £2000 training grant under ELWA’s self-employed Compact scheme and attended business studies start-up course at business Connect Heart of Wales, also in Llandrindod. Elwa is also supporting one -to -one tuition to improve her English business language, which she says has been vital for conducting the business professionally.
With the Tianjin university martial arts team ready to tour the UK, Ms Wood is now working hard to introduce many more Chinese performers to UK audiences. She stressed that the help she received from Elwa was invaluable in helping her get started.
“Gaining degrees and lecturing in a university for four years has given me a lot of confidence and I am excited about running my own company and determined to succeed,” she said.
Peter Melanefy, Elwa’s business support executive said he believes that in helping Ms Wood the organisation achieved its three main aims of supporting individuals, business and communities.
“We have supported her with advice and funding for personal development, we have helped to set her up in a business, which will hopefully create future jobs and we are supporting a cultural exchange between international communities,” he said.
Liu Li said “ I believe that a real art has no borders. The exchange of art and culture is the best way to bridge the gaps and promote appreciation and friendship between nations” 刘莉相信：‘真正的艺术是没有国界的。 文化艺术交流是最好的形式促进国家之间的欣赏和友谊。’