Next Stop China – Saint Petersburg exhibition proceeds in Saint Petersburg

The Next Stop China – Saint Petersburg exhibition opened on February 6 in Saint Petersburg in Sheremetyevo Palace. The event, celebrating the Chinese New Year of 2019, is supported by the government of Saint Petersburg and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation.

The exhibition is held as a part of celebrating the Chinese New Year, which commenced on February 5, 2019, according to the lunar calendar. The project focuses on traditional arts, where calligraphy holds a unique position.

The exhibition featured some guests of honour, including a renowned Chinese calligrapher, native of Gansu, Luo Lei, Consul of Trade and Economic Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Saint Petersburg Lo Xin, Founder and Art Director of the School of Calligraphy and the President of the National Union of Calligraphers, Petr Chobitko. Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy Alexey Shaburov and Assistant Director Ludmila Kulanina also attended the event.

Besides the traditional Chinese calligraphy the exhibit puts on display embossed seals, traditional guo hua paintings, and paper cutting works. The Imperial Porcelain Factory provided samples of Chinese porcelain for the exhibition. A special highlight – an installation that illustrated the environment where a Chinese calligrapher would work, allowed to take a closer look at four “treasures” of the work room: a brush, ink, paper and an ink slab.

This large-scale event serves as a testament to the significance of relationships between the East and the West, and helps enrich the cultural connections between the two countries.

Left to right: Mr. Luo Lei, Chinese calligrapher and painter Alexey Shaburov, Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy and the National Union of Calligraphers Ludmila Kulanina, Advisor Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy Petr Chobitko, Founder and Artistic Director of the School of Calligraphy, President of the National Union of Calligraphers

Ms. Lo Xin, Consul of Trade and Economic Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Saint Petersburg

Mr. Luo Lei, Chinese calligrapher and painter

Petr Chobitko, Founder and Artistic Director of the School of Calligraphy, President of the National Union of Calligraphers

Chinese calligrapher’s table on display