Chinese Precious-stone Carving Artworks Exhibited in Athens
　　An exhibition featuring 100 Chinese decorative objects dating back to the Qing Dynasty （1644-1911） opened on December 18， 2019.
　　The works displayed at the exhibition “Chinese Works of Art from the I. and D. Passas Collection” belong to the Foundation of Greek collectors Ioannis and Dimitra Passas.
　　Made of precious and semi-precious stones， the artworks present the littleknown Chinese art of precious-stone carving to the Greek public.
　　“It is very important that this exhibition is taking place during a period when the relations between the two countries are at a very high level，” said Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni.
　　The minister， who attended the opening， said that the Passas collection exhibition can be considered a forerunner of the vast array of cultural events that will take place in the context of the 2021 Sino-Greek “Year of Tourism and Culture.”
　　“In the framework of all our meetings， it became very clear that the Chinese deeply wish to further strengthen ties with Greece in the field of culture. It is a firm belief not only of Chinese officials， but of the people as well， that the Greek and Chinese people are connected by their civilizations，” she said.
　　The visitors will have the chance to take a closer look at delicate masterpieces depicting heavenly deities， human figures， and mythological animals， elaborate vases， and decorative vessels made of various precious stones and corals.
　　The exhibition will be running at the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens until April 19， 2020.
　　Chinese Photo Exhibition Kicks off in Toronto
　　Chinese photo exhibition，“The Annual Rings of the Prosperous Era，” kicked off at the Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Toronto on December 15， 2019 attracting hundreds of visitors.
　　Consul General Han Tao of the Chinese Consulate-General in Toronto and Canadian Senator Victor Oh attended the opening ceremony of the twoday photo exhibition， which is designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
　　The exhibition was cohosted by the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations and China News Service， with the support of the Chinese Consulate-General in Toronto.
　　Weng Guoning， chairman of the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations， spoke highly of the exhibition. “Through comparison of old and new photos， the exhibition shows the remarkable achievements that China has made.” 　　“China’s economic strength and overall national strength have grown by leaps and bounds. Its people’s living standards have greatly improved， their quality of life has significantly improved， and China’s international standing has grown unprecedentedly，” he added.
　　Meanwhile， the organizers also launched an online photo exhibition to provide easy access to more visitors.


　　Works of Alfons Mucha Exhibited in Tianjin
　　An exhibition featuring Czech artist Alfons Mucha opened in north China’s Tianjin Municipality on December 17， 2019.
　　More than 100 works of the artist， including posters， photos， and advertising designs were displayed at the exhibition “Alfons Mucha –A Pioneer of Art Nouveau，”which was held at the Tianjin Art Museum.
　　Alfons Mucha is a prestigious Czech Art Nouveau painter and installation artist， who is renowned for his distinct style.
　　Ma Chi， head of the museum， said the exhibition follows Mucha’s life changes and the context of artistic development， comprehensively interpreting Mucha’s aesthetic style and the impact of the Art Nouveau style.
　　The exhibition will last until March 29， 2020.
　　Activity
　　Alexandrov Ensemble 2020 Spring Festival Gala
　　Date： February 6-9， 2020
　　Venue： National Center for the Performing Arts
　　Price： RMB 100， 180， 240， 300， 500， 600，700， 800， 1，000
　　Established in 1928 by Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov， the composer of the former Soviet anthem and a conductor of genius ability， Alexandrov Ensemble is the oldest， largest， and most prestigious military artistic team in Russia. In the past 92 years， its choruses and dances have incorporated the unique Soviet military art and Russian national art into their performance， featuring salient heroic， and romantic flavor.
　　Ivo Pogorelich Piano Recital
　　Date： February 23， 2020
　　Venue： National Center for the Per forming Arts
　　Price： RMB 80， 180， 260， 360， 420， 480， 580
　　Ivo Pogorelich has recorded an impressive number of CDs with Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft， with a repertory ranging from baroque to classic， to romantic and the music of the 20th century. The cumulative effect of this recorded material has confirmed his status which many see as being legendary.