A sculpture of the renowned Polish patriot and artist Ignacy Jan Paderewski created by the well-known Chinese painter Yuan Xikun was unveiled Tuesday in Beijing's Chaoyang Park.
The bust stands in the international friendship forest located in the western part the park. More than 200 home and overseas guests attended the unveiling ceremony.
Paderewski, born in 1860, wasa former polish prime minister and concert pianist. When Poland was occupied by Germany in 1939, he organized a personal concert at the age of 80 to raise money for his country.
Yuan, the statue's creator, said he has deep respect for Paderewski, which is why he created the sculpture.
"Paderewski's glorious life teaches young people that patriotism requires not only passion but also one's talents," Yuansaid.
Polish Vice Culture Minister Maciej Klimczak presented a goldenkey to Yuan on behalf of the Polish government. He said Yuan used a golden key of art to open the door for cultural and art exchanges between China and Poland.
Born in 1944 in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Yuan is a successful painter famous for the more than 160 portraits he painted of international leaders and celebrities since 1991.
Those he painted in the past 14 years include former US President Bill Clinton, former South African President Nelson Mandela, former UN Secretary General Butros Butros-Ghali, Cuban President Fidel Castro and former president of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonie Samaranch.
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