On the evening of August 8, 2024, the “BuildingPeace – Olympic Art Congress 2024” officially opened at the CentreNational de la Musique in Paris. Jointly organized by the China Associationfor the Promotion of Culture and Arts Development and the French Association of Plastic Artists, the congress forms part of the official Paris 2024 Olympic Cultural Programme. It received strong support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the French Olympic Committee, and the China Literature and Art Foundation.
The opening ceremony brought together over 300 distinguished guests from the fields of culture, arts, academia, sports, and the Chinese community in France. Among the attendees were Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Vice President; Yu Zaiqing, IOC Member and Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee; Chen Dong, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in France, along with other Chinese diplomats. Also present were Yang Xiaoyang, President of the China Association for the Promotion of Culture and Arts Development; Song Luzeng, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia; Stéphane Hado, Chief Culture Officer of the French Olympic Committee; François Poulizac, Chief of Staff; Etienne Caralo, Deputy Prefect of Paris; and many other prominent figures. Mr. Zou Chuang, President of the Association for the Promotion of Arts and Culture and New Silk Road, was also invited to attend the opening and exhibition.
IOC President Thomas Bach sent acongratulatory letter, stating that “Art and the Olympic spirit shinetogether, jointly conveying humanity’s pursuit of peace, unity, and progress. This exhibition, themed ‘Building Peace,’ will bring a rich artistic dimension to the ongoing Paris Olympic Games.” Bach also praised the 16-year historyof the Olympic Art Congress and expressed high hopes for its future development.
The exhibition features more than 120outstanding works created by nearly 100 artists from over 10 countries, including China, France, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Israel, and Kurdistan. The artworks—ranging from Chinese painting and calligraphy to oil painting and sculpture—demonstrate a wide diversity of forms and styles, yet all embody a deep understanding and passion for the Olympic spirit.
As one of the collaborating partners, the Associationfor the Promotion of Arts and Culture and New Silk Road invited two renowned Spanish artists: Juan Ripollés, a 93-year-old national treasure, and Victoria Cano Pérez, President of the Olympic Art Association. Both created special works for this congress.
On the day of the opening, artists alsoparticipated in a symposium, sharing creative insights and promoting intercultural dialogue, diversity, and the shared growth of the arts.
