Kathmandu, Jan 25: A week-long exhibition of ancient Chinese folk arts and paintings titled “Prime Years of Happiness: Exhibition of New Year Paintings” has kicked off in Kathmandu.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of China in Nepal Wang Xin, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Naradmuni Hartamchhali, Director of Cultural Relics Department of Shanghai Ou Xiaochuan and Director of Shanghai History Museum Zhou Qunhua jointly inaugurated the exhibition amid a function on Friday.
On the occasion, leader Koirala said the exhibition is meant to focus on bringing our two peoples and countries further closer adding that “this exhibition reflects just one aspect of widening and deepening relations between Nepal and China”.
She added this is a remarkable exhibition of two feelings, history and backgrounds of our two peoples together. Koirala observed that the New Year Paintings present a vivid glimpse into profound cultural heritage from both sides of the border and expressed her happiness to China’s unprecedented progress in recent decades coming from its rich cultural heritage.
She stated that this exhibition beautifully exemplifies the spirit of cultural diplomacy that both our nations value so deeply. Koirala said we take pride that the five principles of peaceful co-existence not only guide our relations; they also provide a framework for inter-state relations in this time of uncertainty and volatility between great powers.
Likewise, Chancellor Naradmuni shed lights on the importance of such exhibition for deepening bilateral cooperation adding that cultural exchanges have greater role in sharing knowledge of arts, history and the social life.
Present on the occasion were Members of the Nepal Fine Arts Academy, Chinese artists, representatives from different organizations, scholars and students.
On the inaugural programme, the Chinese students made their cultural performances of Chinese calligraphy and others. Likewise, they sang Nepali song Resham Firiri, Resham Firiri.
The exhibition will last until January 31 at the premises of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. As shared by the organizer, the exhibition contains 60 New Year paintings from the collection of the Shanghai History Museum. The paintings reflect on the social, cultural, economic and other aspects of life of Shanghai of the late 19th century.
The exhibition was organized by Shanghai History Museum, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and China Cultural Centre in Nepal with support from the Embassy of China in Nepal and Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.
The year 2025 will have several of such events between Nepal and China as the two countries are marking the 70 years of diplomatic ties and also that China has decided to support the Nepal Visit Year.
