Shanghai honors violinist Astrid Poghosyan with prestigious Magnolia Silver Award

Violinist Astrid Poghosyan was honored with the Magnolia Silver Award for her contribution to the city of Shanghai, the Global Times reports.

Coming to Shanghai at the age of 16, Poghosyan, now 30, said that over the years she has well integrated herself into this city, from professional work to daily life, as well as community voluntary services.

“I’ve been here for 14 years,” she told the Global Times. “I grew up here, and most of my friends are Chinese. I’m an expat from appearance, but I have a very ‘Chinese heart.’”

This year’s Magnolia Silver was awarded to fifty foreign nationals in Shanghai. The award specifically honors expatriates in Shanghai for their contributions to the city. Over the past 34 years, it has honored more than 1,827 foreigners.