Wu Jianming, a Chinese painter from Pujiang, a county known for its painting and calligraphy in East China's Zhejiang province, gave lectures on Chinese painting at the Confucius institute of the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, from May 23 to June 5.

Launched in 2014 by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the University of Novi Sad, the institute serves as a key platform for Chinese language teaching, and cultural communication and cooperation between China and Serbia.

Wu, deputy chief editor of the Journal of Chinese Painting, is a painter with both theoretical knowledge and creative capacity. "The university and I share the responsibilities to offer Serbian friends easy access to the traditional Chinese art of painting," Wu said, adding that the art exchanges are very much desired by both sides.

During the lectures, Wu presented foreign students with an overall picture of the development of Chinese painting through the latest artworks of different styles and an on-site demonstration of Chinese painting.

"Though I made full preparations before this trip, I was still worried that Chinese painting, an alien art form for Serbians, wouldn't be well received by the locals. But the lectures have made it clear that my concerns are unnecessary," said Wu, who was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Serbians for Chinese culture.

Wu Jianming, a Chinese painter from Pujiang, a county known for its painting and calligraphy in East China's Zhejiang province, gives a lecture on Chinese painting at the Confucius institute of University of Novi Sad, Serbia. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]