The Tongzhou Section of the Grand Canal in the Paintings of Young Chinese and Panamanian Artists

On May 6, more than 30 young Chinese and Panamanian artists from the Fondación ASA Panamá, Beijing Normal University, and the Central Academy of Fine Arts participated in a sketching event organized by the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and painted the beautiful scenery along the Tongzhou section of the Grand Canal.

These young artists admired the ecological environment of the Tongzhou section of the Grand Canal, and learned about its history and cultural heritage, as well as the outcomes of developing the Municipal Administrative Center. With contrasting painting styles of the east and the west, the yong artists presented the inclusiveness and vitality of the Grand Canal in their paintings.

Both the Grand Canal of China and the Panama Canal are world-renowned engineering marvels with a long history. The artworks created in this event will be sent to Panama in the second half of the year and be exhibited at the China-Panama Canal Art Exchange held by the Chinese Embassy in Panama with the aim to foster mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and Panamanian people, and to bond with Panama, a Belt and Road partner of China, through cultural and artistic exchanges. 

 [Background knowledge]

Dug more than 2,500 years ago, the Grand Canal of China is the oldest and the longest man-made canal in the world. The Tongzhou section, stretching about 40 kilometers, is the northernmost segment of the Grand Canal. Since ancient times, the Grand Canal has been a testament to the spirit of self-improvement of the Chinese people and a vital artery connecting China to the rest of the world and linking the land and maritime Silk Roads. Widely regarded as a symbol of the openness and inclusiveness of the Chinese culture, it has played an important role in promoting exchange and mutual learning among countries along the land and maritime Silk Roads. In 2014, the Grand Canal of China was added to the World Heritage List. In 2022, water flowed along the full course of canal for the first time in a century, bringing new vitality to the ancient waterway.