Poems and ink paintings from the Tang Dynasty are all beautiful works in the art world. There is a lot of meaning behind these works of art. The saying "A poem is hidden in every painting, a painting in every poem" is the starting point for this exhibition. Works by nine Chinese painters such as Yin Canghai, Chuzhong Hai, Yu Heng and Zhou Yangbo were on display in the Chinese Cultural Center. Their calligraphies and paintings reinforce the old rhymes and cultural depth of poems from the Tang Dynasty. 


The deputy director of the Jiangsu Ministry of Culture and Toursim, chairman of the Jiangsu Cultural association Ma Ning, Wilt L. Idema, winner of the 'Dutch translation prize' and 'Special Book Award of China' and professor at Harvard University, director of cultural sectary of the Chinese embassy Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center Sun Bei, and the vice director Huang Hongchang, representatives of the Netherlands China Association, and Chinese and Dutch art enthusiasts were presented the opening. 


Ma Ning says: "China Cultural Center in The Hague was established through a collaboration with the Jiangsu Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During this visit, I am happy to see that the center organized so many different cultural activities. The center plays an increasingly important role in the field of cultural exchange between China and the Netherlands.” Yang Xiaolong also mentioned:  “The Chinese paintings give the Tang poems an extra dimension, a meeting between East and West. 


Wilt L. Idema described: "from the 19th century onwards, the Tang poems are increasingly being introduced in the English, French, German and even Dutch language. Enthusiasts of Tang poems all over the world produced many different translations. To this day, the thousand-year-old Tang poems and songs are still lived and served as an important source of inspiration. It is great to see the Tang poems come to life through the painters brush. "


Chu Zhonghai, representative of the artists, explains: "We hope that with the help of these authentic Chinese paintings we have taken a step further in representing the relationship between globalization and preservation of our own culture." Under loud applause from the audience, artist Yin Canghai is working on a live painting. The Guzheng (Chinese zither instrument) music piece in the background creates an engaging atmosphere. The beautiful voice of the children who reads Tang Poems in Chinese, English and Dutch.


Before the opening,  there was a seminar organized by the Chinese Cultural Center and the Confucius Institute Leiden University for lovers of Tang poems. Representatives of the Confucius Institute Leiden University, artists who participated in the exhibition, and Chinese and Dutch art lovers discussed and appreciated the paintings especially in Tang and Song dynasty. 


The China Cultural Center also organized a workshop on traditional Chinese ink painting. There, Dutch amateur painters and artists experienced the pleasure of Chinese painting.