On June 19, 2017, a group led by Ms. Tao Qin, Vice Secretary General of the Party Leadership Group, Counsel and Vice Secretary General of the China Artists Association, Convener of the Curatorial Committee of the Beijing Biennale was invited to meet with the delegation of the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Greece in China at the National Museum of China on the details of the Special Exhibition of Contemporary Art of Greece. Both sides arrived at agreement on the exact exhibition site, insurance for the transportation of artworks and the reception work.
Representatives from the Greek side formed a strong lineup, which demonstrated the great attention they attached to the Special Exhibition. Members presented at the meeting are: Dr. Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Mr. Leonidas Rokanas, Ambassador of Greece in China, Mr. George Veis, Greek Cultural Year Coordinator, Ms. Elisabeth Foutiadou, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Greece in China, Mr. George Kalamantis, Director of the Department of International Relations and European Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ms. Nikoleta Saraga, Director of the Exhibitions Division of the Department of Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ms. Dafni Tsironi, who is in charge of the construction work of the Exhibition Division of the Department of Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ms. Aktina Stathaki, Special Advisor of the Minister Office of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Ms. Taoqin, Vice Secretary General of the China Artists Association extended a welcome for the Greek delegation and introduced to them the scope, latest development and arrangement of the 7th Beijing Biennale. She stressed that both China and Greece are ancient civilizations and Greece stands for an important partner under the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. Under this context, it is with great significance that Greece applied for the Special Exhibition of Contemporary Art of Greece at the 7th Beijing Biennale with the theme of “The Silk Road and World Civilizations.” As a result, Greece will become one of the most important countries of honor. Besides, the exhibition hall for the Greek Special Exhibition is usually arranged for the important special exhibitions in previous sessions. The duration of the 7th Beijing Biennale covers the whole National Holiday, which will bring excellent effects for attracting audience. Apart from that, selected artists from about seventy to eighty countries will be invited to the spot to appreciate the exhibition. It can be said that it provides a great opportunity for Greece to present and promote the Contemporary Art of Greece. It is expected that the Special Exhibition of Contemporary Art of Greece will be an excellent one at the 7th Beijing Biennale.
Dr. Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, expressed that cultural exchange is an indispensable part of all kinds of mutual exchanges. She was glad to see that Greece can be selected to hold a special exhibition and it is a brave opportunity for Greece to make publications and demonstrations. The ancient civilization of Greece is well known and the contemporary Greek art is with equal importance. Over the same period of the 7th Beijing Biennale this year, another two exhibitions for presenting the ancient Greek civilization will be held both at the Palace Museum and the Capital Museum. It is supposed that the Greek Cultural Minister could present at the opening ceremony of the 7th Beijing Biennale and deliver a speech.
Ms. Tao Qin, Vice Secretary General fully agree with what Dr. Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki mentioned on the importance of cultural exchange and actively invited the Greek delegation to participate in the international symposium of the 7th Beijing Biennale. She also put forward that, as a counterpart of the Greek Special Exhibition, the China Artists Association is going to hold a exhibition of contemporary art of China in Greece in April or May in 2018. She appreciated that the exhibition could get strong support from the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of Greece and the Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art. Dr. Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki expressed welcome and support for the exhibition of contemporary art of China in Greece.
We can firmly believe that the exchange exhibition between China and Greece based on the platform of Beijing Biennale and the system of “Going Global of Chinese Art” under the framework of the China Artists Association will become a milestone in the cultural and artistic exchange between China and Greece.
