Tomorrow sees the launch of Shanghai's first Irish Week-a celebration of all things green and Celtic and an opportunity to find out more about the Emerald Isle, its foods, customs and music.

Famous Irish dance River Dance. [Photo by sina.com]

The opening ceremony will take place tomorrow at 8pm in Xintiandi's South Block with dancers and musicians from Ireland's famed Bru Boru group. The week will culminate next Saturday with a parade, the first of its kind in Shanghai, another Bru Boru concert, and the annual St Patrick's night bash at Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai hotel.

Caitriona Ingoldsby, vice consul with the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai, says: "This event promises lots of fun for everyone, Chinese or expat, those familiar with Ireland, the local Irish community and those who know nothing about our beautiful country."

The week is organized by the consulate, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) in conjunction with the tourism bureau of Luwan District Government and Xintiandi. It aims to raise people's awareness of Ireland as a tourism destination, as a place to do business and as an education destination.

The focus of the week will be the "Ireland Center" marquee at the Rui An Plaza on the corner of Huaihai and Madang roads. This marquee will be open from 10am untill 10pm during the week and it will be packed with information, taste tests, interactive games and an Irish English corner.

There will be tastings of Irish cheeses and a Baileys cocktail show. Participants can register and get an Irish "passport" that is stamped at each event. "Passport" holders are entered into a competition with prizes each day of the week, including a golfing holiday to Ireland.

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