Photographic Exhibition Commemorating the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relationship between China and Malta Opens in Beijing

In order to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and Malta, increase the cultural communication and understanding between the two countries, a photographic exhibition with the theme “The Texture of Memory” was held in Xicheng District No.1 Library on May 8th, 2017. The photographic exhibition is jointly hosted by The Malta Embassy in China and Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The event is also cosponsored by Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and Xicheng District Committee of Culture to Beijing Municipality. Participants that attended the opening ceremony were John Aquilina, Ambassador of Malta in China; Xuli, Deputy District Head of Xicheng District; Tianyan, Vice President of Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Mr. Joseph P. Smith, Renowned Maltese Photographer; Delegation of The European Union to China; and photography enthusiasts from China and abroad.

 The exhibition of The Texture of Memory

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Xuli, Mr. Tianyan, Ambassador John Aquilina, and Mr. Joseph P. Smith delivered speeches respectively and expressed their congratulations for the opening of exhibition. Ambassador John Aquilina expressed: Although Malta is thousands of miles away from China, the vivid photos can bridge the regional and language differences and bring Malta’s culture to the Chinese people; additionally, the exhibition will also become the witness of the 45 years’ of friendship between China and Malta.

The guests attend the opening ceremony

WTCF was invited to the opening ceremony and the Travel Channel, a member of WTCF Committee of Media Organizations, interviewed Ambassador John Aquilina and Mr. Joseph P. Smith. During the interview, Ambassador John Aquilina said that the location where the photos from the exhibition were taken is the city of Birgu, adjacent to WTCF city member Valletta. Mr. Aquilina introduced the tourism resources of Valletta and hope that the Chinese people can better understand Malta through this exhibition. He also hopes that more Chinese people will come to visit and experience Malta.

Travel Channel interviewed Ambassador John Aquilina 

This exhibition is a small extract from an ongoing body of photographic and video work which documents the ageing community of Malta’s historical fortified cities, Birgu; a city of historical significant situated in the south-east of Malta, endowed with a maritime, mercantile and military legacy.

 The exhibition of The Texture of Memory

Mr. Joseph P. Smith is the renowned photographer in Malta and the photos in the exhibition is representative of his work. Mr. Smith has a strong preference for monochrome photography. He is an Associate of the Master Photographers Association of the UK and has also achieved Fellowship status of the British Institute of Professional Photography. He was the first and only Maltese photographer to achieve Fellowship status of the Malta Institute of Professional Photographers and also made an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and later Artist of the International Federation of Photographic Art. Mr. Smith is a photographer and artist absorbed in an artistic quest that consists of photography, graphic media, and painting. This exhibition is to open a new window for Beijing citizens to expand their knowledge of Maltese people’s daily life and Maltese artists’ comprehension of photography.