Brussels, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The "Golden Dragon Welcome - 2024 Belgian Zodiac Design Exhibition" opened at the Bans International Carnival and Mask Museum in Belgium on the 24th, with more than 100 guests and artist representatives from China and Belgium attending the event.
As a brand project of the "Happy New Year" series of activities in Belgium, the exhibition exhibits a total of 41 works with the theme of the zodiac dragon by art lovers from China, Belgium and other countries, reflecting the diverse understanding and rich imagination of people from different countries and regions of Chinese zodiac culture, and sharing the strong flavor of the "Chinese New Year" with the world.
On February 24, people experience making dragon-shaped lanterns during the "Golden Dragon Welcome - 2024 Belgian Zodiac Design Exhibition" held in Banche, Belgium. Wu Gang, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, attended the event and delivered a speech, saying that the dragon is the totem of the Chinese nation. The various interpretations of dragons in Chinese and Western cultures have distinct regional and cultural characteristics. We hope to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations by enhancing exchanges and dialogues between different cultures in China and Belgium and between China and Europe.
In his speech, Frédéric Tillman, a member of the Bansh City Council, said that the zodiac culture represents the continuation of the cultural traditions of the Chinese nation. Held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Bansh Carnival's inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the exhibition marks the encounter and exchange of Eastern and Western cultures.
In her speech, Clement Mathieu, director of the Bansh International Carnival and Mask Museum, said that since ancient times, traditional Chinese culture has given symbolism and lucky meanings to the twelve animals. "We are very honoured to be involved in organizing this exhibition and to call on Belgian artists to add a local touch to it."
On February 24, children experienced Hanfu makeup during the "Golden Dragon Welcome - 2024 Belgian Zodiac Design Exhibition" held in Bansh, Belgium. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Dingzhe) Before the opening ceremony, nearly 30 Chinese and Belgian children participated in activities such as Hanfu experience, homemade dragon-shaped lanterns, hand-painted dragon-shaped patterns, and lantern parades, expressing their love for the zodiac culture, traditional Chinese costumes and the "Chinese New Year".
The exhibition is co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, the Bansh International Carnival and Mask Museum, and the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center. The exhibition opens to the public on February 25 at the Bansh International Carnival and the Mask Museum and runs until March 31.