Exploring Longhua: a cultural expedition for expat researchers

UNDER the scorching sun, 11 expat researchers and professors immersed themselves in the cultural vibe of Guanlan Print Village, also officially known as Guanlan Original Printmaking Base in Longhua District, on Friday. They checked out a printmaking workshop, the International Artists Village and the China Printmaking Museum, and they also engaged in hands-on printmaking.

The event, organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, aimed to provide an exchange platform for foreign experts from institutions such as Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU), the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), and Shenzhen University (SZU).

Vladimir Zakharov, a Russian professor from SMBU, was keen on visiting Guanlan Print Village, and attentively listened to the introductions, capturing precious moments with his camera along the way.

“My expectations have been entirely fulfilled,” the professor, who had already read information about the village before the excursion, said with satisfaction.

Nestled amidst lush trees, Guanlan Print Village, a Hakka village with a history of over 300 years, was recently renovated into an original printmaking base that merges modern printmaking workshops with historical Hakka-style architecture. It has gathered more than 1,000 artists from 98 countries and regions, data from the Longhua District Government’s official website show.

“This museum is like modern meeting old, with the classic arts being displayed on the screens through light and digital effects,” said Iryna Kashuba, a Brazilian associate professor from SUSTech, during a visit to the China Printmaking Museum.

“The printmaking technique is truly fantastic and intricate,” Zakharov said. “I’ve witnessed many masterpieces crafted by acclaimed sculptors and painters, but I see that the printmaking technique is unique.”

After visiting the museum and the village, the expats finally got to try the most anticipated activity — creating relief print works. Each participant received a green wood block adorned with different patterns, tasked with crafting their own relief paintings.

“Obviously, it takes a lot of skill to do this, something that I lack. But when you try it, you come to appreciate how difficult it is. So, you can appreciate the skills of the artists more,” Tim Beaumont, a British associate professor from SZU’s School of International Studies, said.

ARTICLE FROM: Shenzhen Daily