In the National Parliamentary Library of Ukraine within Studios of Shevchenko Studies an artistic event “Cultural Diplomacy in Action: “Kobzar” in the dialogue of Chinese and Ukrainian cultures” was held. The book “Unfading glory. Honour to Taras Shevchenko”, which is an exceptional artistic value, was presented there. The publication is of great historical significance for the development of Ukrainian-Chinese relations not only in the humanitarian field, but also the others: political, economic and cultural. The promotion of Ukrainian artistic heritage by the People’s Republic of China in this difficult times is an important step for our nation. Not being afraid of political repressions, our friends supported the past of Ukrainian people and stretched a helping hand for the future.
The book was published by Chinese Academy of Painting and Calligraphy in Beijing in April 2016, edition of 1000 copies, and it’s only the beginning. Issue of publication was dedicated to the International Exhibition of paintings “Unfading glory. Honour to Taras Shevchenko”, which was held 11-26 May in Kiev in the National Museum of Taras Shevchenko. Moreover, during a year the delegation of Chinese artists travelled around Ukraine and the places where Taras Shevchenko was and lived, to understand the world that surrounded him better.
The book was open with a collection of poems “Kobzar. Anthology of Taras Shevchenko’s poetry”. It includes about 20 works in Chinese and Ukrainian languages. Translation was performed by Ge Baotsyuan, who used Shevchenko Ukrainian language texts in his work. The verses themselves are printed on high-quality “gold” paper and placed in ornamental stylized frameworks. The second part of the publication is a catalogue of 30 exposed at the exhibition paintings and 30 calligraphic works of Chinese artists, some of which also came to the homeland of Shevchenko. Detailed descriptions of Chinese artists and their reflections on Ukraine complement the illustrated material. The book ends with the photographic chapter “Memory of Ukraine and friendship”, which tells us about the exchange of cultural delegations between Ukraine and China.
