The 6th China (Xiangtan) Qi Baishi International Culture and Art Festival will open in Xiangtan, Hunan Province on November 2, 2023, to mark the 160th anniversary of the birth of Chinese artistic master Qi Baishi. 

Qi Baishi, a great artistic master born in Hunan, was highly reputed for his four "consummate talents" – poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving. He was honored as an artist of the people and a global cultural celebrity in the 20th century. He has been commemorated for his brilliant artistic works and remarkable achievements for the art scene of China, and even the world. 

The festival will be themed "Inheritance and Innovation – to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Qi Baishi". It will consist of four main events, including an opening ceremony, an exhibition of Qi Baishi's original works, a keynote lecture on Qi and Chinese art in the 20th century, and a Chinese freehand brush work exhibition.

Digital technology will be highlighted in the event, with Qi Baishi themed light shows and digital exhibition making their debuts. Besides, for the first time, the festival organizer will collaborate with local universities to hold an exhibition of college students' Chinese paintings. So far, 502 works created by college students from 106 universities in eight countries, such as Italy and Russia, have been collected.

Beyond that, the festival will leverage the all-for-one cultural tourism resource around Xiangtan, and associate with the 2nd Xiangtan Tourism Development Conference, to promote cultural communication based on tourism and showcase the image of Xiangtan as a cradle of celebrities.

Chinese and foreign experts will be invited to discuss the art and culture of Qi Baishi and other fine art masters in the 20th century. It will become a platform to facilitate cultural communication and skills exchange among the artists.

The festival is hosted by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Hunan Provincial People's Government, and organized by the Hunan Department of Culture and Tourism, Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Xiangtan Municipal People's Government.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn