Chinese artist exhibits paintings in honor of Slovenian writer

Chinese artist Wang Huiqin opened here on Tuesday an exhibition of 23 paintings, paying homage to Alma Karlin, a Slovenian writer who embarked on a solo journey around the world, including China, a century ago.

Wang Huiqin moved to Slovenia 40 years ago and has since created numerous art works that connect Slovenian and Chinese cultures. She is also a professor at the University of Ljubljana, teaching calligraphy and Chinese art.

In 2020, she illustrated a bilingual children's book about Alma Karlin, while recently she created an animated film on Karlin which was shown at the opening of the exhibition.

The film, available in both Slovenian and Chinese versions, is set to be showcased at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany in October.

"I have worked on the project involving Alma Karlin since 2019. She was a brave Slovenian woman who went around the world by herself and not enough people know about her," Wang told Xinhua.

Zhao Binghui, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Slovenia, said that the artist has long been active in boosting cultural exchanges between Slovenia and China.

"Art and culture are reaching beyond borders, traveling across countries, and connecting hearts," said Zhao, expecting Wang to create more art works and continue to use art to contribute to the exchanges between the two countries.

On behalf of Slovenia's President Natasa Pirc Musar, her husband Ales Musar said at the opening that Alma Karlin was one of the first women who traveled the world by herself and that two of her novels took place in China. Her longest travel lasted for 9 years.

"We have to remember more often that the connection between Slovenia and China has no burdens from the past ... our connections with China are all beautiful," said Musar.

The exhibition will last until June 5.