September 10, 2016: a photo exhibition brought from Jining, the home city of Confucius, opened in Taganrog Literary Museum "Chekhov Gymnasium", displaying 18 photographs printed in traditional style on silk.

The photos give an introduction of Confucius life story, carrying forward Confucius thoughts and influence of the great thinker, educator and philosopher in the world. It features Jining city - the hometown of Confucius and the origin of Confucianism: Confucius Family Mansion, Confucius Temple in Qufu, Confucius Cemetery - the graveyard for Confucius and his descendants, Tomb of Confucius, Temple of Mencius and other sites included into UNESCO World Heritage.


City leaders of Taganrog, members of the official cultural delegation from partner city Jining, culture professionals, regional and local press attended the opening ceremony.

"Many people like me grow up along with his works, and by him led into the holy temple of the literature. His splendid works, such as "A Chameleon", "The Man In a Case", "The Death of a Civil Servant", expressed his resentment against the despicable reality, sympathy with the poverty-stricken common people, and longing for the prospective happy life. His works are acclaimed as the immortal masterpieces, and still exerting strong influence on the contemporary literature of the world. <...> The cultural communication is the bridge and link to get peoples' hearts closer. The purpose of the Confucius Cultural Photos Exhibition is to spread the influence of Chinese traditional culture, to encourage the dialog between different civilization, to increase the mutual understanding of the people, and realize the eternal peace, harmony and progress. By holding this exhibition, we try to furnish more information to you about Confucius philosophy and relics, inspire the interest of local people in the study of Confucius philosophy, and strengthen our intimate friendship. The exhibition is like a platform, on which China and Russia could learn and absorb good elements from each other culturally", told Vice-president of Jining Municipal Congress Yin Yunling in his speech.


In the closing of her speech, Mrs. Lipovenko, director of the Taganrog Museum Reserve, which unites 7 out of 8 museums in the city, remarked that back in 2009 when the two cities considered signing a sister-city agreement, the number of residents wasn't a factor at all: "When we speak about Taganrog, which has a population of 260 thousand and Jining, where reside over 8 million, we keep in mind that Anton Chekhov and Confucius are two great men, equally known throughout the whole world. <...> Many people who visit this city, do it for Chekhov. The delegation from our Chinese partner city came to learn more about Taganrog, its history and culture. Thank you very much for your sincere emotions, curiosity, kindness and friendliness. It was a great pleasure to prepare the opening of this exhibition together", told Yelizaveta Lipovenko, thanking the guests from Jining.


"Many people like me grow up along with his works, and by him led into the holy temple of the literature. His splendid works, such as "A Chameleon", "The Man In a Case", "The Death of a Civil Servant", expressed his resentment against the despicable reality, sympathy with the poverty-stricken common people, and longing for the prospective happy life. His works are acclaimed as the immortal masterpieces, and still exerting strong influence on the contemporary literature of the world. <...> The cultural communication is the bridge and link to get peoples' hearts closer. The purpose of the Confucius Cultural Photos Exhibition is to spread the influence of Chinese traditional culture, to encourage the dialog between different civilization, to increase the mutual understanding of the people, and realize the eternal peace, harmony and progress. By holding this exhibition, we try to furnish more information to you about Confucius philosophy and relics, inspire the interest of local people in the study of Confucius philosophy, and strengthen our intimate friendship. The exhibition is like a platform, on which China and Russia could learn and absorb good elements from each other culturally", told Vice-president of Jining Municipal Congress Yin Yunling in his speech.


After the grand opening, which was held at the assembly hall of the oldest educational institution in the south of Russia, visitors went downstairs into the exhibition hall, where Jining Museum's director Ms. Wang Li introduced "Confucius Cultural Photo Exhibition" to the public and met the press.