Andrea del Guercio from Milan's Brera Academy delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]
The "When Milan Meets Wenzhou: Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and Italian Artists" opened at the Wenzhou Museum on May 27, local media outlets reported.
It was the first project in Wenzhou to be included in the "Cultural Silk Road" program initiated by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The opening ceremony brought together a group of Chinese and foreign artists. The performances, showcasing the unique culture of Wenzhou, captivated the audience, including the foreign guests.
Andrea del Guercio from Milan's Brera Academy, Italy expressed in his opening speech that each artist participating in the event will "transcribe" their own experiences through travel and exchange, allowing for intimate connections with Wenzhou.
Cheng Dali, curator at the National Museum of Chinese History and Literature, stated that both Zhejiang during the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368) and Milan during the Renaissance played major roles in the development of art. The artistic heritage has been passed down as a tradition, influencing the present day. He expressed hope that serious exchanges, mutual learning, and collaborative discussions with Italian counterparts could lead to the creation of more outstanding works.
The "Foreign Cities Meet Wenzhou" series, a cultural and artistic exchange activity with the outside world, has been held since 2018 in cities like Paris and London. This event was the fifth in the series.
Over the next 10 days, artists from China and Italy will embark on a series of activities in Wenzhou mainly centered around the beautiful Nanxi River, Yandang Mountain and Jiangxin Islet, including art exhibitions, on-site sketching, academic exchanges, and lectures.
Chinese and foreign attendees pose for a group photo. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]
