The sculpture, representing a boy from Dalian and a girl from Rijeka, who together on the beach look into the distance, thus symbolising common aspirations towards a brighter future, is a gift from the city of Dalian to Rijeka on the occasion of the 2020 European Capital of Culture title, however due to the pandemic, only this year it was possible to deliver the sculpture.

On 29 December 2021, in Rijeka, Croatia, the sculpture was jointly unveiled by Sandra Krpan, deputy mayor and Ana Trošelj, president of the City Council, who were assisted by children attending Vidrica kindergarten.

“Dalian and Rijeka have been fostering friendly relationships for 15 years and in the coming years we will continue to develop our friendship as well as our economic and cultural ties,” said deputy mayor Krpan, adding that the sculpture was a gift on the occasion of the 2020 European Capital of Culture title, and also a symbol of long-standing friendship between the two cities. “The sculpture has embellished our Pomerio Park and I believe that the citizens will like it, especially children,” said Krpan.

Cooperation between Rijeka and Dalian has been going on since 2006, when the Agreement whereby establishing friendly cooperation was signed, and since then contacts between representatives of the two cities have been maintained, as well as meetings and exchanges of events, including friendly support given by Dalian during our candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2020.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the sculpture, Chen Shaowang, mayor of Dalian sent a video message in which he pointes out that Rijeka and Dalian have achieved extensive cooperation in the field of economy, education, culture and tourism in 15 years of friendly relationships. “In order to celebrate the 2020 European Capital of Culture title with Rijeka, we made this sculpture, as a prototype of our sculpture located in Dalian at Xinghai Square. The sculpture of children on the beach from our two cities looking into the distance, symbolises our eternal friendship and common longing for a better life and a brighter future, “said Shaowang.

VIDEO MESSAGE BY CHEN SHAOWANG, MAYOR OF DALIAN

The unveiling of the sculpture was attended by Ivan Šarar, head of the City Department of Culture, Srđan Škunca, head of the City Department of Development, Urbanism, Ecology and Land Management, Maja Malnar, head of the City Utility Services Department and Board members for Intercity and International Cooperation, as well as, Vojko Obersnel former Rijeka mayor, during whose mandate Rijeka and Dalian became sister cities.

The authors of the sculpture, which is made of tin and bronze, are Zhong Ma and Deng Wei.