My poem
When Einar Tangen helped catalyze a cultural exchange between the United States and China two years ago, he didn't realize that he would be the recipient of his own priceless piece of Chinese culture.
After Tangen arranged a series of cultural exchanges between China and the States, former Chinese Minister of Culture, Gao Zhanxiang, showed his appreciation to Tangen by awarding him with a copy of the poem, Ode to Peace, signed by both Gao and Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut to reach outer space.
The original version of the poem, written by Gao, signifying China's desire to come in peace, accompanied Yang on China's first space mission.
"Minister Gao handed it to me personally and I was very touched at being given something so unique," Tangen says.
A copy of the poem was also presented to former US President George Bush Senior in honor of his trip to China.
It wasn't just receiving the rare relic that held significance; it was the man presenting it, says Tangen, who keeps the poem in glass case on a bookshelf in his Beijing home.
A man of the arts, Gao has made his name not only as a Chinese official but also as an artist, calligrapher, poet and photographer.
The 73-year-old has also won ballroom dancing awards, says Tangen.
As part of the cultural exchange, Gao will bring his talents to the States in the form of an art exhibition displaying his famous Lotus photographs.
