In the framework of the 8th Nicosia Book Festival, in which China was the country of honour, parallel activities on Chinese culture took place at the University of Cyprus on 5 and 6 October 2023.

Art Exhibition “A comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese paintings”

The exhibition was held under the auspices of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd, and the University of Cyprus. The exhibition was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Demetriou, the Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr. Zhang Jianchun, the Head of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, Mr. LI Yaohui, and the Vice Chancellor of International Relations, Economics and Administration of the University of Cyprus, Professor Ioannis Yapintzakis.

In her address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs.Anita Demetriou, said that the exhibition is a journey through Chinese history, which enhances the understanding of China’s culture and deepens the friendship between the two countries. The Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr. Zhang Jianchun, highlighted the importance of this exhibition as a launch for cultural exchanges between China and Cyprus. The official guests together printed the phrase “Harmony in Diversity” in the Chinese writing system, officially declaring the opening of the exhibition, and then toured the painting collections. The exhibits consisted of Chinese paintings from different dynasties, with the aim of presenting its history.

Symposium “Sino-Cyprus Art and Cultural Exchange”

The symposium was co-organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus and the China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd.Participants included the poet Maria Siakalli, the Professor of the Cultural Institute of Chinese Calligraphy at Capital Normal University, Ye Peigui and the Chinese paper-cutting artist Sun Chunbo. In her speech, Ms. Siakalli referred to the importance of literature as a means of understanding and mutual respect between different cultures. Participants had the opportunity to delve into the world of Chinese calligraphy and papercutting through presentations and workshops.

China–Cyprus Civilization Exchange Forum

The theme of the Forum was the harmonious coexistence of cultures and humanity with nature. The event was co-organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd, the University of Cyprus and Prometheus Research Institute. The event was graced by the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, the Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irene Piki, the Chairman of China Publishing Group Co., Ltd. and China Publishing and Media Holdings Co., Ltd., Mr. Huang Zhijian and the Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr. Zhang Jianchun. The Vice-Minister-in-Charge highlighted the rich cultural heritage and innovation that the two countries share and stressed the crucial role of exchanges in strengthening cooperation. The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, said that such initiatives promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. The speakers, coming from the political, literary and academic communities of Cyprus and China, developed ideas to enhance dialogue and mutual understanding in order to promote cultural and business cooperation between the two countries.