A joint China-Bulgaria art exhibition opened in Sofia, Bulgaria on August 18, 2025, featuring over 60 works by Chinese and Bulgarian artists. The six-day event showcases Chinese ink paintings, woodcarvings, embroidery, lacquer painting, tie-dye, batik, and digital art alongside Bulgarian works inspired by traditional textiles, felt, and contemporary interpretations of local heritage. Participants include 15-year-old Gabriela Georgieva, who presented two watercolor paintings.
The exhibition matters as a cultural diplomacy initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to foster dialogue, expand cultural cooperation, and promote mutual understanding between China and Bulgaria. Organizers from the Shanghai International Culture Association and Bulgaria's National Association for the Belt and Road emphasized the role of art in strengthening bilateral ties and reflecting cultural integration between young creators from Shanghai and Bulgaria.