Indiana First Lady Completes China Cultural Exchange

Indianapolis – Indiana First Lady Karen Pence completed a book and music exchange today between The Indianapolis Public Library and the Hangzhou Public Library, which is located in Zhejiang Province, Indiana’s sister state.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to visit the beautiful Hangzhou Public Library. Especially endearing to me on this visit was the opportunity to continue the cultural relationship Indianapolis enjoys with our Sister City, Hangzhou. Hangzhou is also the capital of Indiana’s sister state, Zhejiang Province. This relationship has been cultivated by Jackie Nytes, CEO, Indianapolis Public Library, and Mr. Chu, Director of the Hangzhou Public Library,” said First Lady Karen Pence. “It gives me great pride to present to Jackie today on behalf of Mr. Chu the collection of books entitled, The West Lake Literature Anthology. This collection is comprised of local annals, operas and novels that feature West Lake, the beautiful area that surrounds Hangzhou.”

During the Governor’s trade mission last month to China, Mrs. Pence presented Hangzhou Public Library’s director, Mr. Chu Shuqing, with music recordings of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Nico Muhly Cello Concerto as well as a book entitled “Hoosiers, A New History of Indiana” by James H. Madison. In exchange, the Hangzhou Public Library gave her a collection of books about Hangzhou’s West Lake as well as an engraved stone seal, which she presented today to Jackie Nytes, chief executive officer of The Indianapolis Public Library.

“We give tremendous credit to Mrs. Pence for strengthening our Library’s sister-city relationship with the Hangzhou Public Library and for furthering our ongoing exchange of cultural programs and materials that benefit the citizens of each city,” said Jackie Nytes, chief executive officer of The Indianapolis Public Library.

The exchange was kicked off in April when Jackie Nytes, chief executive officer of The Indianapolis Public Library, presented Mrs. Pence with the music recording and book to bring with her to China to present to Mr. Chu.

In addition to furthering the Hoosier State’s ties with its sister-state of Zhejiang Province, the exchange also strengthens the ongoing sister-city relationship shared between Indianapolis and Hangzhou. The Indianapolis Public Library has an ongoing relationship with the Hangzhou library and has historically participated in ambassadorial exchanges of library staff, with Hangzhou Public Library and The Indianapolis Public Library alternating sending staff to spend time in the other’s library programs.