Representatives of the diplomatic corps expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian nation during an event jointly organized by the Polish and Ukrainian Embassies in Beijing. A Polish-Ukrainian concert, an exhibition of works by a renowned Chinese artist and anti-war posters – accompanying the event – conveyed the universal and unifying yearning for peace by the gathered guests.
On Friday, March 11th, 2022, the Embassies of Poland and Ukraine in Beijing coorganized the event „Together for Peace” which took place at the premises of the Embassy of Poland. The event included a concert as well as presenation of Huang Rui’s artworks and antiwar posters from 14 member states of the European Union.
The main goal of the event was to highlight the universal message of peace, and to remind about human tragedy conected with armed conflicts and pay respect to the victims of war, including civilians and children. At the same time the event was an expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian nation which is experiencing the tragic consequences of the Russian invasion on its territory. Art has always played an important role as a means of awakening conscience. Artists are sensitive observers of social life, defending universal values and carrying hope in the face of difficult experiences through their work.
The official part of the event began with a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the war in Ukraine, then the Polish Ambassador to China, Wojciech Zajączkowski, and the Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine, Zhanna Leshchynska, took the floor. Afterwards there was a concert of Ukrainian folk music in jazz arrangements for piano and violin, performed by Michał Ciesielski and Aleksandra Denga, and on the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian instrument, performed by Mariana Klymukh.
After the concert artist Huang Rui addressed the gathered guests as his several works were displayed at the premises of the Polish Embassy. The artist described the series of the presented works as an artistic statement titled “Huang Rui: Absence of Peace” referring to the titles of his last two paintings – “Absence of Black Moon” and “Absence of Blue Sky”. Huang Rui (b. 1952) is one of the most important avant-garde contemporary Chinese artists. He was one of the founders of the Xing Xing (星星) art group in 1979 and one of the first residents of the 798 arts district in Beijing. In the 1980s, he mainly created painting works, with time he began to explore a wider range of means of expression, such as installations, artistic performances, photography and printmaking. He is an internationally recognized artist and his works have been exhibited both at home and abroad.
Huang Rui presented a total of five paintings. The work Absence of Black Moon (黑 月 之 缺), began to be created by the artist on February 24, immediately after the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Parallel to the exhibition of Huang Rui’s works, anti-war posters prepared by European institutions associated with the Beijing cluster of the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) were shown. In total 21 posters were presented.
