On May 3, GDToday's exhibition "An Encounter with Marco Polo" opened at Guangzhou Opera House, with over 30 masterpieces of Guangzhou painted porcelain (Guangcai) and Guangzhou embroidery (Guangxiu) on display. The event attracted over 50 expats from 14 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Peru, Argentina and so on.
The exhibition is open to audience of the opera "Marco Polo" during its revival. Visitors on May 4 will have an opportunity to listen to the introduction to Guangcai and Guangxiu given by two inheritors on-site.
The exhibition offers not only antiques featuring some classic themes of traditional Chinese art, such as flowers and birds, but also contemporary masterpieces showcasing modern scenes of the metropolis Guangzhou.
The exhibition also provides visitors with various gift options that represent traditional culture with contemporary designs. Additionally, a special photo booth has been set up on site for visitors to take photos with cardboard cutouts of the delicate masterpieces on display.
"This exhibition is very impressive and it's a proof of the cultural exchanges between China and the west. Guangzhou was one of the 13 points of the Silk Road.The exchange is not only cultural, but also in trade and commerce between Europe and China," Aniello Puorto, a reporter form a Italian TV Station said.
Kendra, a student from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies has a strong interest in the Guangzhou painted porcelain crafts on display, "I really enjoy seeing all of the ceramics ware and learning about the process, and also particularly the Guangzhou culture. I love the bookmarks. They also have some Cantonese sayings that they were able to say for me in Mandarin, so I could understand and I think it's very cute."
The year 2024 also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. In addition to this exhibition, on the evening of May 4th, a panel discussion titled "GDToday Salon: 'An Encounter with Marco Polo'" will take place at the same venue, themed around the opera Marco Polo and the shared future between China and Italy.
Reporter | Alice Fung, Chen Siyuan
Video | Zhang Tianxiong
Editor | Olivia, Nan, Will, James
