Beijing: a children’s painting contest dedicated to Leonardo

The fifth edition of the national children’s painting contest organised by the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing is dedicated to the anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. The ‘Paint Italy Prize’ proposes to young contestants the theme of the figure of the Italian genius in his attempt to transmit to children “that insatiable yearning for knowledge” that not only characterised Leonardo but was also the spirit that guided the work of many Renaissance thinkers, artists and scientists. At the opening of the contest, the Italian Cultural Institute also launched a website for the children participating in the competition (http://www.italyhuiyibei.com/home.html) that is full of photographs, captions and in-depth stories aimed to be a precious instrument of knowledge and study of the figure of Leonardo and his multifarious contributions in several scientific and artistic disciplines for both the participating children and their teachers. 

The Prize, organised in cooperation with the Zhuchao Group and Ceramica Imola (China), will see the participation of more than 5000 children from around 60 cities throughout China, thus involving younger generations in promoting mutual knowledge and friendship between the Italian and Chinese cultures. The Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing together with the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Museum have also planned recreational and learning activities on Leonardo for the participating children, as well as guided tours of the two exhibitions on Leonardo that will be held at the CAFA Museum over the year.