On April 9, 2026, the Alliance Française The Hague was filled with distinguished guests and a rich artistic atmosphere. The opening ceremony and live teaching event of the exhibition by Chinese artist Lin Yong, based in the Netherlands, was held here. The event was jointly organized by Alliance Française de La Haye, the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague, and the Hexing Calligraphy and Painting Society of the Netherlands.
More than 50 guests attended, including Hélène Pichon, Director of Alliance Française The Hague, representatives of the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague, cultural officials from embassies in the Netherlands, as well as local artists and curators, coming together to inaugurate this visual feast of traditional Eastern art.

In recent years, the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague has continuously hosted high-quality exhibitions and cultural exchange activities, steadily enhancing its reputation and influence within the local cultural and artistic communities. This collaboration was initiated by Alliance Française The Hague, with the aim of presenting a high-level exhibition of Chinese classical painting alongside live teaching sessions to the Dutch public. The two institutions will collaborate again during the World Music Festival in June this year, further expanding cultural exchange.

Gongbi painting, an important genre of classical Chinese painting, is known for its meticulous precision. Through delicate lines and layered color application, it creates refined yet vivid artistic expressions within a limited space. This exhibition features recent works by Lin Yong, including both gongbi and boneless-style paintings, covering traditional subjects such as figures and flowers-and-birds. With refined techniques and exquisite detail, the works present the unique charm and aesthetic pursuit of traditional Chinese painting to Dutch audiences and the international community.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Hélène Pichon, Director of Alliance Française The Hague. She noted that artistic exchange serves as a bridge for cultural communication, and that this collaboration aims to foster dialogue with diverse cultural communities in the Netherlands. A representative of the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague stated that this exhibition marks the first collaboration between the two institutions. It not only introduces Chinese classical painting to a broader international audience but also vividly demonstrates the vitality of cultural exchange and integration. Both sides expressed their expectation to expand cooperation in more fields and jointly promote intercultural dialogue and mutual learning.

As a Chinese artist who has long resided in the Netherlands, Lin Yong not only focuses on gongbi painting but also regularly hosts Chinese tea gatherings and traditional flower arrangement workshops at the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague. Through tea and floral art, he continues to share the refined lifestyle and cultural aesthetics of Chinese literati with the Dutch public.

During the opening event, the Chinese Cultural Center in The Hague and the Hexing Calligraphy and Painting Society also prepared Phoenix Dancong oolong tea and Yunnan ancient-tree black tea, paired with specially selected French pastries. Guests were able to appreciate the aroma of Chinese tea while experiencing the fusion of Chinese and French cultures. The atmosphere of exchange on site was lively and engaging.