Tibetan thangka art show opens in Malta

VALLETTA — A Tibetan thangka art exhibition, with the theme of “China’s Tibet, Tashi Delek”, opened in Malta on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of Tibet’s peaceful liberation.

The exhibition, also accessible online, is jointly hosted by the China Cultural Center in Malta and the Cultural Department of the Tibet autonomous region.

Around 20 thangka artworks have been selected for the exhibition, covering different schools of thangka art. All these artworks are rich in symbolism and characterized by strong composition, delicate details, vivid expression and dazzling colors — a testimony to the wisdom of Tibetan people and the unique charm of thangka, traditional Buddhist artworks painted on cotton or silk.

The exhibition will connect art lovers in China and Malta and promote cultural exchanges and cooperation, says Jigme Wangtso, director of the Cultural Department of the Tibet autonomous region.

The exhibition is also the first in a series of events celebrating the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 21, says Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.

The exhibition, which will last until Oct 6, features Tibetan landscapes and travel videos, which give an insight into Tibetan culture and customs, as well as the origin, evolution and techniques and the profound culture of the thangka art, Yang says.