Beijing embraces Fernando Botero's masterpieces

By Zhou Jing: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 23, 2015

Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang addresses the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Botero in China" on Nov. 20, 2015, at the National Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition "Botero in China" will run until Jan. 2, 2016. [Photo by Zhou Jing / China.org.cn]

As this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of foreign relations between China and Colombia, the First Lady of Colombia Maria Clemencia de Santos, Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang and his Colombian counterpart Mariana Garces Cordoba attended Friday's opening ceremony.

Luo mentioned this is a very important year for cultural exchange between the two countries. "The exhibition represents the desire for further cultural exchange between our two nations and two peoples… Through a series of long-term cultural exchange activities, we hope to contribute to and promote further understanding, appreciation, interaction and progress for human civilization," he said.

The Colombian minister of culture said that the exhibition is one of the most important overseas cultural projects her country has ever held. "Colombia is very proud of the genius and masterpieces of Fernando Botero, a permanent envoy of the talent and creativity of our country. Botero has left his mark on the important stage of world culture and has helped bring greater attention to the cultural wealth of Colombia," she said.

Botero said he is very excited to visit China to show his artworks in Beijing. "To be one of the international artists invited to display a solo exhibition at the National Museum of China is a tremendous distinction and I am very honored and enthusiastic. I am proud to be a Colombian artist and wish to engage the world through art as a universal language," he said.

The exhibition is hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Colombia in China. It will run until Jan. 2, 2016. After that, a sculpture-themed Botero exhibition will be held in Shanghai.