Opinions & Interviews

“Spiritual diplomacy, spiritual and humanitarian cooperation are closely connected with trade and economic ties,” Mikhail Myasnikovich noted. He also pointed out that it is necessary to understand that although government agencies including the ministries of foreign affairs play an important role, it is public diplomacy and participation of artists, writers, and others in humanitarian cooperation that really unite peoples. “These are the roots that feed our bilateral cooperation,” Mikhail Myasnikovich believes.

He also emphasized that for him it was a special pleasure to see artist Liang Yonghe among the participants of the meeting. “Your works aimed at promoting ideas of humanism and cooperation are famous both in China and abroad,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. He also noted that an exhibition by this artist opened at the National Art Museum of Belarus on 19 March.

Besides, the Belarusian official emphasized that the visit of the Chinese delegation is taking place in the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. “The Victory in the Second World War is very important for us and its value does not diminish with time. Both Belarusian and Chinese people lived through many hardships during the years of their struggle for independence,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said referring to Belarus' struggle against the Nazi invaders during the Second World War.

For his part, Director General of the National Art Museum of Belarus Vladimir Prokoptsov told journalists that the cooperation between the confederations of art unions and between Belarusian and Chinese museums has significantly strengthened over the recent years. As for the exhibition of Liang Yonghe’s works, it is timed to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. “Unfortunately, the exhibition will not run for long,” Vladimir Prokoptsov said.