To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius, Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius, in collaboration with the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) organized an exhibition of Chinese paintings with the theme of China-Mauritius: Friendship & Harmony. The Opening Ceremony was successfully launched on September 29th 2022, at MBC. His Excellency Mr Zhu Liying, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Mauritius, Professor Sanjeev Sobhee，Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius，and Mr Ramsowar Ramsooroop，Human Resources Manager of MBC attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Mrs Zhang Xinhong, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of People's Republic of China in Mauritius, Mr Riaz Auladin, President of the International Watercolour Association in Mauritius, Mr Kwang Poon, Secretary of Chinese Speaking Union at Mauritius, Mr Liao Yunyun, President of Mauritius Chinese Fine Arts Association, Professor Fu Mingduan, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius, Associate Professor Naraindra Kistamah, Mauritian Director of Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius, and over 50 local Chinese calligraphy and painting enthusiasts attended the opening ceremony.
Speech by Mr Zhu Liying, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Mauritius
H.E. Ambassador Zhu Liying said that this exhibition is a powerful testimony of the encounter of Chinese and Mauritian culture. Since the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Mauritius in 1988 and the Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius in 2016, experts from China have been teaching Chinese painting in Mauritius, which has enabled Mauritian art enthusiasts to learn traditional Chinese painting. Ambassador Zhu Liying believed that this exhibition has made a positive contribution to mutual appreciation of friendship between the two countries by expressing the beauty of nature and humanity of Mauritius through Chinese painting techniques.
Speech by Professor Sanjeev Sobhee, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius
Professor Sanjeev Sobhee pointed out that this exhibition is the harmonious dialogue and communication between the two cultures and will enhance the artistic expression of Mauritian painting enthusiasts whilst using Chinese painting techniques to express the local scenery of Mauritius. He affirmed the positive role played by Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius since its establishment in the mutual appreciation of each other’s culture and the enhancement of friendship between the two countries. He believed that through the learning of Chinese language and understanding of Chinese culture, more and more Mauritian, of all ages, have gained a deeper knowledge of China.
Speech by Mr Ramsowar Ramsooroop, Human Resources Manager of MBC
Mr Ramsowar Ramsooroop pointed out that the exhibition provided a platform for Mauritian calligraphy and painting artists to show their artistic talents and was conducive to promoting exchanges and communication between different cultures. He commented positively on the efforts made by the Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius in spreading Chinese culture and hoped for more cooperation between the MBC and the Confucius Institute in the future.
The paintings in the exhibition were produced by Professor Zhang Kangfu and his students at CI-UoM. Thirty landscape and flowers-and-birds paintings displayed the unique beauty of Mauritius through the traditional Chinese painting techniques. The painters vividly expressed the poetry of the Mauritian landscape and the interest in birds and flowers with their keen insight, fresh perspectives, skilful techniques, and great enthusiasm. The paintings are diverse in style and beautiful in artistic conception. They fully reflect the artistic imagination and technical characteristics of the painters and achieved an overall praise-worthy artistic standard.
The exhibition runs from September 30th to October 6th, 2022. During the exhibition period, video interviews of the artists were broadcasted regularly on MBC, in order to introduce the conceptual and technical characteristics of the works on display. The exhibition was also promoted on local radio stations, newspapers, and websites in Mauritius.
Professor Zhang Kangfu introducing the paintings to our chief guests; H.E. Mr Zhu Liying and Professor Sanjeev Sobhee, Vice Chancellor of UoM