"From Ancient Olympia to Beijing: Greek and Chinese artists discuss truce, fair play, war and peace"

The painting exhibition of the International Olympic Truce Centre, "From Ancient Olympia to Beijing: Greek and Chinese artists discuss truce, fair play, war and peace", with works by 29 Greek and 9 Chinese artists, opens on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 12.30

As part of the Cultural Year of Greece in China, on the occasion of the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, the Hellenic House in Beijing will host an exhibition of paintings under the title " From Ancient Olympia to Beijing: Greek and Chinese artists discuss truce, fair play, war and peace", with works by distinguished Greek and Chinese artists. The 29 Greek artists were selected by Chrysanthos Christou, art historian and member of the Athens Academy, who wrote also the catalogue texts. Many of the Greek works were created specifically for this exhibition. The 9 Chinese artists were selected by the eminent curator Xin Dong Cheng, who wrote the relevant texts.

The exhibition comprises artworks with subjects inspired by peace, truce and sport. Its aim is to demonstrate the course from Greece, the cradle of the Olympic Games and host of the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens, to China, where this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be held. Two great ancient civilisations engage in dialogue about sport, truce and peace through the works of their contemporary painters and show how some universal values are perceived.

The Greek artists included in the exhibition are the following: Y. Ioannou, D. Kokkinidis, Ch. Karas, A. Ghinis, P. Gravvalos, M. Katzourakis, T. Katsoulidis, D. Mytaras, D. Gounaridis, V. Dimitreas, C. Paniaras, S. Sorongas, V. Kyriaki, S. Karavouzis, R. Papaspyrou, A. Droungas, Th. Manolidis, O. Zouni, Ch. Botsoglou, A. Kilessopoulos, K. Katzourakis, E. Kouzounis, Y. Psychopedis, Th. Pantaleon, K. Mortarakos, Y. Kottis, V. Xenou, D. Sevastakis, D. Chiotopoulos.

The participating artists from China are: He Wenjue, Li Bo, Ren Sihong, Weng Fen, Yang Tao, Sui Jianguo, Luo Weidong, Luo Weiguo, Luo Weibing.

Duration of the Exhibition: August 3 to September 20, 2008