The five-day programme of the cultural mosaic, held at the Madlena Art Palace between 19 and 23 November, started with an exhibition opening in organization of the Embassy of Japan in Serbia entitled “Flowers and Birds – the Four Seasons of Japan”.
This is the first time that the audience in Serbia has been provided with the opportunity to encounter the traditional Japanese painting technique nihonga which is realized on washi paper and silk. This exhibition setting includes 28 nihonga painting from the private collection of His Excellency Ambassador of Japan to Serbia Akira Imamura, who solemnly opened the exhibition at the Grand Gallery of the Palace, emphasizing that Japanese sense of beauty through transformational alteration of seasons is the central topic. Motifs painted on hanging scrolls made of silk and paper are traditional, birds and flowers, with an emphasis on the cherry blossom which is the national symbol in Japanese civilization. According to Ambassador Imamura, it is quite natural that such an exhibition is opened here, at the Madlena Art Palace, as it is well-known that the Palace complex also comprises the Antique Museum, with valuable exhibits from Japanese art as a part of permanent setting. Ambassador Imamura expressed particular gratitude to Mrs Madlena Zepter for making it possible to organize the exhibition in such a presentable venue, as well as to the Ministry of culture for efforts invested in its realization. As a cultural institution, the Madlena Art Palace has always stimulated international cooperation, and this is the place where internationally renowned artists are always welcome. Following the speech of the Ambassador, the guests were greeted by Mrs Madlena Zepter, who used the opportunity to emphasize that she was proud that the Madlena Art Palace is open for cultural events from the whole world. The exhibition of nihonga paintings presents not only the beauty and sophistication of Japanese art, but also its potential to inspire cultures of other countries and civilizations. Thanking His Excellency Akira Imamura and the Embassy of Japan for the organization of this event, Mrs Zepter emphasized that their presence at the Art Palace was the confirmation of how art surpasses borders and connects people from different parts of the world. On behalf of Serbian Ministry of culture, the audience was addressed by Lav Pajkić, state secretary for culture.
In the second part of the programme, awards were presented to students from the School of design, as the Embassy of Japan had published a competition for the best design of the exhibition catalogue.
The opening of the exhibition was complemented by a concert of traditional Japanese music played on national instruments: the shinobue flute and the wadaiko drum, performed by two Japanese artists, Yuko Kojima and Reiko Hara.
All interested citizens will be able to see the exhibition of nihonga paintings entitled “Birds and Flowers – the Four Seasons of Japan” at the Madlena Art Palace until 3 December 2024.
