Chinese Glass Artworks exhibition inaugurated in Malta

A glass artworks exhibition named Coloured Glaze Artworks from China was inaugurated in Malta on Friday evening.

Thirty artworks constitute the Colored Glaze Artworks exhibition, and all of which are original masterpieces made by Chinese glass art masters. The techniques used in these artworks include colorful painting, lamp making, carving and interior drawing.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, a themed lecture was delivered by Chinese glass artist Li Yupu who delved into the history of ancient Chinese glass art up to the present day.

During a panel discussion at the ceremony, Li Lin, the deputy chief of the district of Boshan of Zibo city in east China's Shandong province, explained that back in 1972 when diplomatic relations were established between China and Malta, it was agreed that China would provide economic assistance to Malta.

The first project to materialise under this agreement was the construction of the Malta Decorative Glass Factory, which was later renamed Malta Glass, in Marsa.

Subsequently, 13 experts from Boshan Art Liulichang were sent to Malta to assist for selection process as well as the construction, glass production, technical transfer, technology research and development, for about a year and a half.

Maltese glass craftsman Raymond Sultana and the general manager of Malta Stock Exchange Alfred Sammut recalled their time working at the Malta Decorative Glass Factory.

The director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, Yang Xiaolong, said that the exhibition evokes a new story about the traditional ties between the two countries.

"Cultural exchange is not only the art per se, but also economic and social interaction," Yang Xialong noted, hoping that the exhibition will also have such a role.

The exhibition, co-organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta and Network of International Culturalink Entities with the support from the Zibo Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the People's Government of Boshan district of Zibo city, Shandong province, was sponsored by the Beijing Harmony & Nonuniformity Cultural Investment Co. Ltd.

The exhibition will last till Aug. 30, 2019.