An art lecture hosted by Wu Weishan, curator of the National Art Museum of China, focusing on the interaction and integration of Chinese and Spanish art, was held on Monday in Madrid, drawing nearly 100 attendees from various backgrounds, including teachers and students from the local art institutes.
During the forum at the China Cultural Center, Wu highlighted the deep connection between Spanish art and Chinese freehand aesthetics. He used the Spanish painter Picasso as an example, noting how he was inspired by Chinese artists like Wu Changshuo and Qi Baishi, which is evident in his artwork.
The lecture conveyed the idea that positive cultural exchanges should be founded on mutual understanding, and that harmonious global development can be fostered through an open and inclusive mindset among all nations.
"Although Qi Baishi and Picasso never met, their art had influenced each other. We need to enhance the art exchange between China and Spain, especially in today's context of cultural mutual learning. It's important to promote Chinese art to the world while also introducing global art to China. My visit to Spain this time is aimed at sharing the story of the artistic exchange between the two countries," said Wu.
The Spanish audience also expressed a willingness to further cultural exchange between the two sides.
"I think both China and Spain have a strong desire to cooperate. While there are many similarities between the two sides, there are also cultural differences that can complement and enrich each other. Our communication is improving, and I hope future collaborations between the two countries will have a more profound impact and enhance mutual understanding," said viewer Laura Leon.
The National Art Museum of China has been engaged in cultural exchanges with Spain since 2007, which contributes a lot to boost cultural exchange and collaboration between the two nations, according to Wu.
Art lecture held in Madrid to foster China-Spain cultural exchange
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the localized ceasefire on Friday, after Russian personnel were reportedly injured near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
The IAEA said it has been informed that some Russian military personnel were injured during Friday's de-mining phase of the agreed localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, the IAEA announced the start of a localized ceasefire it brokered on the front line near the Zaporizhzhia NPP, enabling repairs to the plant's crucial power line.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the restoration of the off-site power line would be an important and positive step for nuclear safety, which is in everybody's vital interest.
"Today, we have been able to agree on the sixth ceasefire, localized ceasefire brokered by us, the IAEA, with Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This will allow experts and technicians from both sides to start very crucial repairs of the Dniprovska line. It's the 750-kilowatt line, the main line that is still standing there," Grossi noted.
The line has been disconnected for more than two months. The Zaporizhzhia NPP had to rely on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needed to cool its six shutdown reactors in the event of a power outage during military conflicts.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.
Alexey Likhachev, director general of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, reported Ukrainian drone strikes on the Zaporizhzhia NPP on Friday afternoon. "Three of our engineers were injured, two of them are in serious condition," Likhachev was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Interfax.
According to the IAEA, the incident is currently being investigated, and the Ukrainian side said it remains committed to the ceasefire.
IAEA chief calls for restraint, adherence to ceasefire near Zaporizhzhia
