Auction >> In China

Sotheby's 20th Century Chinese Art Spring Sale, Hong Kong

The sale will be offering a selection of 119 lots estimated at HK$117 million (10.6 million euros). It will revolve around two major themes, Chinese abstract art and modern Chinese sculpture, stimulating collectors' knowledge and interest in these genres. The works featured in the abstract category are rich in cultural history, reflecting the aesthetic ideals and personal conviction of their respective artists. In addition to abstract art, collectors will be provided with an opportunity to acquire outstanding realist works at the sale.

Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

Date: April 4

Contact: sylvie.chen@sothebys.com

Culture >> In China

A Spanish film festival is being held at the Beijing Cervantes Institute from mid-April to mid-June. The festival will feature the most influential films made by Spanish directors over the past 15 years. Provided to China Daily

Spanish Cinema: The Essentials, Beijing

This film festival shows some of the best films produced in Spain during the past 15 years, all directed by key filmmakers. The series includes both a selection of the films, which have received awarded in Berlin, Venecia, Cannes and Spain, and other relevant movies not so well known and never shown before in China. All the movies are essential in understanding the contemporary diversity of Spanish cinema and its evolution.

Venue: Beijing Cervantes Institute

Date: April 13-June 18

Contact: cult4pek@cervantes.org.cn

Westminster Boys' Choir, Beijing

Coming from the UK, the Westminster Boys' Choir enjoys great popularity in its country, and has performed on elite occasions. The choir will sing masterpieces of Anthony Caesar, John Gardner, Chris Hazell, Edmund Jolliffe and John Woolrich.

Venue: Forbidden City Concert Hall

Date: April 5

Culture >> In Europe

Photograph Exhibition of Shanghai Expo, Paris

This event is jointly organized so that everyone can enjoy the colorful and memorable success of World Expo Shanghai 2010. People will see how the cultures and characteristics of different countries shown on the expo were illustrated under the photographers' cameras.

Venue: Chinese Cultural Center

Date: Till April 18

Contact: cccparisinfo@gmail.com

Exhibition of Miao ethnic group in Guizhou province, Paris

The Miao is one of the 56 ethnic groups in China. In the 2000 census, there were 8.94 million Miao people in the country, and half of them live in Guizhou province. Miao costume is meaningful and decorative motifs are of great beauty and each creation is unique and of infinite variety. This exhibition shows the deep meaning, function and different styles of the Miao costumes and the techniques of embroidery, brocade and batik that help make them.

Venue: Chinese Cultural Center

Date: April 20- May 8

Contact: cccparisinfo@gmail.com

The Unilever Series: Ai Weiwei, London

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist, curator, architectural designer, and social commentator. The work being exhibited this time, Sunflower Seeds, is made up of thousands of small works, each apparently identical, but actually unique. However realistic they may seem, these life-sized sunflower seed husks are in fact intricately hand-crafted in porcelain.

Venue: Tate Modern Museum

Date: Till May 2

2011 Spring Lecture Series: China Faces the World, Brussels

The Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies launches the lecture series, featuring 10 renowned experts, to contribute to a more qualitative debate about China's rise and its impact on Europe.

Venue: Vrije University

Date: till May 18

Events can be submitted by e-mail to: events@mail.chinadailyuk.com.