Ambassador of China to Russia Mr. Li Hui took part in opening ceremony of the Great Russian and Chinese Calligraphy exhibition, celebrating the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relationship between Russia and China

On May 28, 2019, the Federal State Duma of the Russian Federation held the opening ceremony of the Great Russian and Chinese Calligraphy exhibition designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relationship between Russia and China. The event is organized by the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, the State Duma Committee on Education and Science, and the National Union of Calligraphers of Russia. The list of the guests of honour included Mr. Li Hui, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation; Vyacheslav Nikonov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science; Sergey Gavrilov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Society Development, Non-Governmental and Religious Associations, and coordinator of the deputy group for Chinese Parliament; Alexey Chepa, Deputy of the State Duma from Spravedlivaya Rossiya political party; Alexey Shaburov, Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy. Approximately 200 guests attended the ceremony, including representatives of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the World Club of Saint Petersburgers, Kaiming Academy at the Association for Promotion of Democracy Development, the Academy of Painting and Calligraphy of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Heilongjiang province, Shanghai Association of Calligraphers, representatives of Russian and Chinese media, and calligraphy connoisseurs. Ms. Lyubov Dukhanina, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science, took on the role of master of the ceremony.

Ambassador of China Mr. Li Hui’s welcoming speech

The Ambassador of China Mr. Li Hui opened his speech congratulating the event organizers on behalf of the Embassy of China in Russia. He emphasized that the exhibition of Russian and Chinese calligraphy in 2019, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relationship between Russia and China, bears testimony to the close cultural contact between our countries and the intent of both peoples to know more about the art of the other country. Born in the ancient days, the art of calligraphy today serves as a bridge, or the interlink between the Russian and Chinese people. Despite the humanity being at its height, the penmanship skill becomes a “luxury” by the minute, which is one more valid argument proving the value of calligraphy. “In response we must not only promote the development of calligraphy but also campaign for preserving this cultural gem for the future generations.” he said. This exhibition is a great example of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy taking specific steps to implement this important mission in cooperation with some outstanding calligraphers from Russia and China.

Mr. Li Hui stressed the invaluable contribution of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy to the development and promotion of Chinese calligraphy and strengthening of cultural ties between Russia and China. He also took a note of a long journey made to date, which is to culminate among other things in a large scale exhibition “The Great Chinese Calligraphy and Painting” due in September 2019. “I hope that going forward we will see more exhibition projects of a like nature attracting more and more people. We also have to point out a significant contribution of the Russian State Duma to the development of cooperation between Russia and China in all domains, including culture. The fact that this ceremony is taking place in the State Duma, is the best acknowledgement to it.”

Vyacheslav Nikonov’s welcoming speech

“During the World War II Russia and China fought against fascism together and won,” stressed Vyacheslav Nikonov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science. “Over the last 70 years of fruitful collaboration in all areas we pushed the relationship between our countries on to the new level. Currently the Russian and Chinese relationship experiences the best period ever in the history of diplomatic relationships, and comes as an example of efficient cooperation between the two great nations. The exhibited artworks of Chinese calligraphers exemplify achievements of the great Chinese culture and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between our peoples and developing the humanitarian cooperation between Russia and China.”

Sergey Gavrilov’s welcoming speech

“The deputy group for Chinese Parliament includes over 100 members, which makes it the most sizeable union of this kind in the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The group aims to develop Russian and Chinese relationship and support the development of cooperation between the national parliaments. 2019 celebrates the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relationship between Russia and China and plans a whole host of joint events to mark the date. Cultural cooperation helps us learn more about the culture of the other country, strengthen existing connections and establish a groundwork for the future,” noted Sergey Gavrilov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Society Development, Non-Governmental and Religious Associations, and coordinator of the deputy group for Chinese Parliament.

Lyubov Dukhanina’s welcoming speech

Alexey Chepa’s welcoming speech

Alexey Shaburov’s welcoming speech

“The cultural cooperation between Russia and China is currently flourishing as we work across various areas and bring to life many projects. The success of today’s opening ceremony serves as a testament to that. “The State Duma Committee on Education and Science spends every effort to develop cultural interaction between Russia and China,” noted Lyubov Dukhanina, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science.

“The 70 years of history of cooperation between Russia and China have become a key to a close friendship between our nations. Calligraphy artworks displayed at this exhibition reflect cultural and artistic features of the Chinese culture. I hope humanitarian cooperation between Russia and China will also break new ground along with the development of political and economic ties,” emphasized Alexey Chepa, Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

“This exhibit features over 20 treasures of art made by calligraphy professional from Russia and China. We hope this exhibition project will attract many connoisseurs of calligraphy and contribute to the expansion of cultural exchange between Russia and Calligraphy,” noted Alexey Shaburov, Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.

At the exhibition venue

The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy is a private museum founded in 2008 by collector Alexey Shaburov. The museum displays superior examples of contemporary calligraphy from all over the world.

The Great Russian and Chinese Calligraphy exhibition will run until May 31.

Source: mp.weixin.qq.com