On November 23, 2015, the opening ceremony of the “Chinese-Iran Artists Exhibition” was held at the Peking University Library. The exhibition was held by the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University (PKU), the PKU Office of Educational Administration, the PKU Office of International Relations, and the Culture Office of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Lin Fengmin, head of the Arabic Department in the School of Foreign Languages. Ali Asghar Khaji, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Li Yansong, Vice President of PKU; Li Shujing, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages; Farid Abboud, former Ambassador of the Republic of Lebanon and guest professor at PKU; Liu Chen, head of the Fine Arts Department in the School of Arts; Shi Guang, head of the Western Asia Department in School of Foreign Language; and Li Longyin, Chairman of the Chaoyang District Calligraphers Association, were present at the ceremony and accompanied by many famous Muslim artists from China and Iran.
At first, Li Shujing, representing PKU, gave her opening remarks. She pointed out that the exhibition was a positive way to encourage human culture interaction between the two countries. She stated that mutual communication in commerce, culture, and religion between the two countries had lasted for thousands of years and art interactions were always playing an indispensable role: “Though art varies between different countries, the language of art can spread regardless of location and time to refresh people’s hearts’ and promote the prosperity and harmony of diverse world culture.” She also added that the PKU School of Foreign Language should be willing to boost communication and cooperation in the mutual understanding and art cooperation between Iran and China, and she congratulated the “Chinese-Iran Artists Exhibition” on its great success.
After that, the culture counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran gave a speech. He pointed out that the Silk Road is a symbol of profound friendship between the two countries. “From ancient times to the present, Iran regards China as the birth place of top art masters” he praised. As for the meaning of the exhibition, he expressed that it may well deepen the friendship between the two countries, the exhibition could create a peaceful environment for renovating the Silk Road economy. At last, he expressed his deep appreciation of the artists from both countries who accelerate cooperation and communication in art and culture, and he was confident of the bright future of Sino-Iran cultural exchanges.
Eventually, Vice President Li Yansong, together with Ambassador Ali Asghar Khaji, cut the ribbon in the opening ceremony, symbolizing the formal beginning of the “Chinese-Iran Artists Exhibition”. After the ceremony, artists from both countries created a painting together and sent the artwork to PKU as a present.
Written by: Yu Wufei
Edited by: Wei Wei
