China, Hungary intensify exchanges in the arts

A painting is on display at the ongoing Exhibition of the Hungarian Academy of Arts, which is scheduled to run from May 14 to June 10, 2018 at the Today Art Museum in Beijing. [Photo:todayartmuseum.com]

The Belt and Road Initiative has brought China and Hungary in closer cultural exchanges.

A large-scale exhibition showcasing contemporary Hungary art is now underway in Beijing.

This comes as a result of an exchange program, following an art exhibition hosted last year by the Chinese National Academy of Arts in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

Liu Min takes a closer look.

Tan Ping is the academy's deputy head.

"The event boasts the largest number of exhibits for an exhibition ever held by Hungarian art circles in China. There are a rich variety of exhibits on display, ranging from paintings and glass sculptures to installation art and video art. I think Chinese citizens may obtain a panorama view about the trend of modern art in Hungary."

With the assistance from the Chinese National Academy of Arts, the Hungarian Academy of Arts has organized this almost month-long exhibition, titled "Spirit Presence Existence".

A Hungarian artist has also sung local folk songs in celebration of the event's opening.

According to Tan Ping, the exhibition will not only offer a feast to visitor's eyes but their ears.

"When the Chinese National Academy of Arts hosted an exhibition in Hungary last year, we arranged performances generated by the ancient Chinese musical instruments at the opening ceremony. So when they now arrange an exhibition in Beijing, they are eager to show their folk music which they believe relates to the folk music of ethnic minorities in northern China. In addition to the opening ceremony today, Hungarian folk music would also be the research subject for a workshop affiliated to the exhibition."

Tan Ping also added that this exhibition is just the beginning of large-scale cultural exchanges that will come later in fields like dance, opera and architecture.