Dazzling array of Spain's past, present

1: A view from the Gaud exhibition at the Capital Museum in Beijing

The Year of Spain in China is a tremendous opportunity for the Mediterranean country, as it is a grand opportunity to promote a unique series of cultural events, and reach out to a public that has never before been exposed to such a rich, colorful and valuable array of Spanish art and culture.

The Spanish government has carefully conceived, chosen and designed the exhibits and shows being featured during the Year of Spain in China.

One of the main objectives of the event is to provide access to the variety of Spanish excellence through the ages, from the classics - including exhibitions titled From Titian to Goya - Great Masters from the Museo del Prado; Art and Chivalry in Spain - The Royal Armory of Madrid; Flamenco Pa Ts and Cosmos Gaud - Architecture, Geometry and Design) - through to the contemporary (featuring From Zush to Evru; Imperium - La Fura dels Baus; Related Itineraries and 300 percent Spanish Design).

Putting together such a significant collection of masterpieces and acts has required considerable organizational and financial effort from the Government of Spain, which is firmly committed to further investing in the promotion of Spanish culture in a key country like China.

Key promotional work and detailed organization to assist the government in holding the event has been done by the Sociedad Estatal para la Accin Cultural Exterior (SEACEX), a public institution that promotes and exhibits Spain's rich artistic and cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.

SEACEX manages and supports the internationalization of creative and cultural activities in Spain, strengthening the framework for the recognition of diversity and presenting the cultural plurality of this country as an asset.

2: Artists from Spanish top troupe Flamenco Pa Ts on performance

In addition, SEACEX is also responsible for the promotion of cultural cooperation and the development of mutual collaboration policies for relationships among artists, managers and cultural institutions in Spain and other countries.

Over the past two years, thanks to the efforts of SEACEX, works of 70 internationally renowned Spanish artists have been exhibited in the major international art circuits.

In 2006 alone, 50 exhibitions were organized in 50 cities of 29 countries, in collaboration with local museums, art galleries and cultural institutions. It was the first glimpse ever of Spanish art for 33 of these host cities.

In the words of SEACEX General Director Maria Isabel Serrano: "SEACEX is confident that the success of our initiatives will continue throughout the year. The exhibitions of the Museo del Prado and Art and Chivalry in Spain will bring for the first time to Asia a selection of masterpieces that are not only part of our great culture but an integral part of the cultural heritage of the world".

 

3: The Spanish artist Evru signs autographs at the opening of the exhibition "From Zush to Evru" last April.

4: Chinese visitors admire the works of Gaud.

5: Two Chinese visitors look at the intriguing works of Evru attentively.

(China Daily 06/27/2007 page28)