On 4 December 2020, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov attended the opening ceremony of the SCO children's art exhibition during his working trip to Shanghai. The exhibition is part of Shanghai Art Fair 2020.
The SCO pavilion was easily the largest venue at the event, taking up more than 300 square metres of the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in the centre of Shanghai.
On the first day alone, more than 20,000 visitors were able to enjoy the children's paintings themed, "The world through the eyes of children" and "Rallying against the epidemic, protecting our common home."
The display included over 200 works by children from the SCO member states — India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which reflected the ‘Shanghai Spirit' — mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural diversity and interest in joint development.
Opening the event, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov focused on the particular importance of holding such events during a period when cultural interaction is disrupted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He noted the need to support and encourage children's love of art in all forms:
"It is gratifying that the younger generation in the SCO, from an early age, shares the principles of mutual support and calls for solidarity. The world is interconnected more than ever and solidarity and cooperation are key to defeating a virus that knows no borders. Organising such exhibitions, we give children an idea of the cultural diversity across the SCO countries, encourage their interest in art and the right perception of current issues, and strengthen the bridges of friendship, contributing to the continuity of the dialogue of generations," the Secretary-General said.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to China Zohir Saidzoda and Vice-President of the All-China Women's Federation Xia Jie.
Ambassador Zohir Saidzoda noted that 2021 will mark 20 years of the SCO, and Tajikistan, as part of its SCO chairmanship, intends to hold a number of cultural and humanitarian events to honour the anniversary.
Ms Xia Jie said that the All-China Women's Federation is ready to join forces with all interested parties in promoting stronger friendship between the peoples of the SCO countries, the humanitarian community of the SCO, and building a community with a shared future for humankind.
"Children are the hope of the country and the future of humankind, and an exhibition of children's art helps young people from the SCO countries to promote SCO culture and the Shanghai Spirit from an early age," Xia Jie said.
The event included a colourful demonstration of the traditional tea ceremony.
After the ceremony, the participants visited other pavilions at the fair and saw more than 100 works by artists from 35 countries.
The SCO pavilion at the Shanghai Art Fair 2020 was set up by a partner of the SCO Secretariat for cultural and humanitarian cooperation — the Shanghai Art Fair Company and Yunnan Shanghe Culture and Sport, with support from the People's Government of Shanghai
The Shanghai Art Fair was founded in 1997 by the Shanghai Culture Development Foundation and has been held annually since then. The event has gained status as a famous international art exhibition and is dedicated to compliance with top international standards.