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Sunday, November 26, 2023

First Director of the China National Museum Mr. Pan Zhenzhou’s 2023 October Great Wall Fengshui Calligraphy Exhibition Welcome Banquet Speech at Imperial Cuisine Museum

Commander Liu, Mr Xu, Minister Sun, Chairman Huan and Secretary Zhai, distinguished leaders and friends, Master Yun Long Zi, and esteemed guests and friends from around the world.

First, I would like to congratulate Master Yun Long Zi on the upcoming launch of his Great Wall exhibition. I also deeply appreciate the organisers of tonight's dinner for inviting me to attend such a warm and friendly event. I have been here before, but I feel tonight's dinner has the most cultural and artistic atmosphere.

Not only do we have our current guests, but also nobles from the Qing dynasty 300 years ago and, empresses and princesses from the Ming dynasty 600 years ago. Especially our ladies, who have been meticulously dressed and made up by the staff, looking dignified, elegant, and beautiful, perfectly matching the theme of tonight's dinner.

Master Yun Long Zi’s Great Wall fengshui calligraphy exhibition, in my opinion, is both a calligraphy and art exhibition. His work integrates calligraphy and painting, so it is both a calligraphy and art exhibition. Abroad, I've seen many artworks, combining figurative and abstract elements, using Chinese culture and charactersto express the profound spirit of Chinese culture, I have seen such works.

Master Yun is a Chinese artist from Singapore. He grew up in Singapore, but as a Chinese, Chinese culture flows in his veins and his works carry the DNA of Chinese culture. Therefore, in his works, he pursues the theme of Celebrationism. I agree with you that our art and calligraphy should bring positive energy and evoke happy emotions.

I saw several of his works outside, each representing elements of Chinese culture, but always revolving around the concept of home, reflecting a deep, vivid concern for the country and home. I really like your work.

But Master Yun did not grow up in China, he grew up in Singapore. His creations inevitably took on some Western techniques, such as certain painting methods and compositional skills, resulting in a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. 

I personally feel that he has blended these cultures, resulting in his own unique creations, making his work difficult to imitate or learn, as it's characterised by his unique style and expression. Artists should have this uniqueness. This originality and uniqueness are what make an artist's work valuable.

Today, we gather here to attend Master Yun’s exhibition’s welcome dinner. This exhibition has dual significance. The first is Master Yun’s cultural return to his roots as he carries the DNA of Chinese culture in his blood, the DNA of Chinese culture.

Bringing his works to Beijing and displaying them at the Great Wall is a return to this cultural heritage. As a Chinese culturati, I highly commend this. This is the first significance.

The second significance lies in Master Yun’s calligraphy exhibition. Because he is in Singapore. many overseas Chinese, in addition to their work, they bear the responsibility of spreading Chinese culture and promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries. This cultural exchange between China and other countries is called mutual learning. It contributes to the progress of human civilisation. I think Master Yun’s exhibition, your success in your career and endeavour, demonstrates unique value and significance.

The 33rd anniversary of Sino-Singapore relations just passed, and it’s the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative encompasses not only economic and trade cooperation, but also cultural exchange. In this regard, I believe Master Yun can achieve even greater accomplishments in the future. We will celebrate you when that happens as your philosophy is Celebrationism. 

I heartily wish that tonight's dinner will be joyful and healthy for all our distinguished guests and friends. To our friendship, to the prosperity of our arts, to the progress of our civilisation.

Let's toast to the success of tonight's dinner. Thank you. 

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