Vatican City, Nov 21, 2017 / 12:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Relations with mainland China have long been an interest for the Holy See, and the Vatican Museums have now partnered with a Chinese cultural institute in hopes of building stronger ties with the country through art.
Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums, said Nov. 21 that in recent months “we have found ourselves, perhaps unexpectedly, in a shared awareness, which is the common task that is required today, even more so in the past, of a reality such as ours: to be able to speak in a universal language.”
This language, she said, “can only be that of beauty, which is a powerful appeal to harmony (and) is an extraordinary vehicle to always speak, in every latitude and longitude (and) without fear, without barriers.”
“I think beauty – in the broadest sense of the term – is needed by everyone,”she said, and voiced her believe that beauty is “the key to what the Vatican Museums calls ‘the diplomacy of art,’ which is certainly not our discovery…but which today is up to us to carry forward and creatively reinterpret in a constant confrontation with the global scene that is in front of us.”
Jatta said she believes these are the types of initiatives the museums ought to be pursuing, and is convinced “that the activities that we present today will bring an abundant harvest and will be a positive sign of hope which, looking around, we all need!”
Jatta spoke at the presentation of an initiative being launched by the Vatican Museums and the China Cultural Industrial Investment Fund, who are joining forces to promote two different exhibits which will be displayed simultaneously in the Vatican Museums and the Forbidden City palace complex in Beijing in the spring of 2018.
The exhibits mark the first time the Vatican Museums and a Chinese cultural institution have collaborated, and are the result of a joint-project between the two called “Beauty Unites Us,” aimed at creating various forms of cultural collaboration through art.
The title of the exhibit that will be shown in the Vatican is “Anima Mundi: Human, nature and harmony,” while the exhibit on display in China is titled “Beauty Unites Us: The trip in the marvelous harmony between the Chinese people and the Vatican museums.”
According to a press release on the exhibits, they are meant to witness to how art can be an instrument of dialogue and encounter between people from different cultures.
Among the pieces selected for the simultaneous exhibit are 12 paintings from Chinese artist Zhang Yan, who has donated several of his works to Pope Francis, including one that will become a permanent addition to the Vatican’s “Anima Mundi” museum.
The Vatican will send 40 works to China for the exhibit, including 38 pieces of ancient Chinese art from the “Anima Mundi” museum, and a painting by Zhang Yan that he donated to the Pope. After its debut in Beijing, the exhibit will travel to other major cities in China.
Speaking alongside Jatta at the press conference on the exhibits were Msgr. Paolo Nicolini, Administrative Delegate of the Vatican Museums; Fr. Nicola Mapelli, Curator of the “Anima Mundi” museums; Zhu Jiancheng, Secretary General of the China Culture Investment Fund; and painter Zhang Yan.
In comments to journalists, Zhu thanked the Vatican for their “scrupulous organization and warm hospitality.”
He voiced his belief that the exhibits “will open a new chapter in the cultural exchange between the Chinese people and the Vatican, so that there is a new approach and understanding between two countries with a deep cultural tradition.”
As the first of its kind, the event holds significant meaning in terms of mutual understanding and trust between the two parties, he said, and, quoting the third century BC philosopher Han Fei, said, “relations between nations depend on the closeness of peoples, and the closeness of peoples depends on the communication of hearts.”
“We all know that this is also the thought of Pope Francis,” he said, adding that “cultural exchange precedes diplomacy.”
The exhibits, then, are an event that “crosses borders, time and unites cultures, and which will further strengthen the friendship between China and the Vatican in favor of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the Holy See.”
In his comments, Zhang said it was “a great honor” to be at the Vatican, where there is currently an increase in the “strong commitment for the development of civil relations between China and the Vatican.”
On behalf of the 1.38 million people of Chinese nationality, Zhang expressed his “sincere homage to the true friendship of Pope Francis,” and to all those who have contributed to the cultural exchanges between China and the Vatican.
The two simultaneous exhibits, he said, “represent the two ends of a bridge of civil dialogue – as a messenger of this cultural exchange, it is my pleasure and privilege to transmit the greeting and friendship of the Chinese people.”
The artist stressed that no matter what nation we come from or what creed we profess, “nothing in the world is irrelevant with us.”
“Even Chinese culture and the Vatican need communication and exchange, as with all cultures on the earth,” he said, adding that the “disinterested friendship” between China and Pope Francis and the idea that we are all one family “push men to rethink the relationship between humanity, life, society and nature.”
“The aesthetics of art,” he said, “will reveal in us the complete awareness of the environment, benevolence and tolerance. Dialogue among us is possible and inevitable because of our common sense of benevolence.”
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May each and every child be blessed with love, joy, health, and happiness worldwide.
“These children — there were many of them! — filled my heart with joy. I repeat: ‘No child is a mistake,’” he said. These are the words of Pope Francis and they are words that have the potential of bearing truth. To be fully actualized, the Pope should now DO something about it. And here’s my suggestion which is only one of many.
Let Francis say to all the bishops in every diocese of the world that each diocese should announce that any women in a crisis pregnancy can contact any diocese of the Catholic Church and, if they are considering an abortion, the diocese will provide medical assistance, housing if necessary, a job and adoption services if the woman feels that she is unable to care for her baby throughout its childhood.
Francis should offer concrete services to women in crisis pregancies if he truly believes that no child is a mistake. Words mean nothing if not attached to specific acts. In that case they remain just words.
He would never do that. What he believes or what he thinks he believes varies with his petulant moods. He could never betray all the pro-aborts of whom he is often so enamored.
An effective way to combat the killings is to publicize this video in youtube from Dr. Anthony Levatino M.D. Gynecologist Obstetrician and former abortionist detailing the horrors of abortion procedures at the different stages of pregnancy. Show it especially to young women who are not told in school the true details of abortion at the different stages; in this video age this is a most effective way to combat the killings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFZDhM5Gwhk&t=269s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFZDhM5Gwhk&t=269s
Maybe the Pope can have a word with my mom who made it beyond clear that if she had her way I would’ve been aborted and reminds every day that I am a mistake. This might be the New Year’s Eve I finally end my own life. I am tired of knowing I should not exist.
Your value as a human being doesn’t depend on what other people say, think, or do. Maybe a better goal for the new year would be to get rid of the toxic people in your life and focus your efforts on being the best version of yourself possible. Living well is the best revenge.
Jane, never think that. Your Mom sounds like an emotionally disturbed person and you cannot take your sense of self from someone like that. No matter that she is your mother. There are numbers of people who are too damaged to be fit parents. You are of value to God, and to others you may not even yet know. We can never know what it is that God has in store for us. Your purpose may not yet have been revealed to you.
I was totally devastated when I couldnt have children.The sadness went on for years. But thanks to God, I now have two sons who are now grown men. My husband and I adopted them both.God bless their birth mothers. Two children were never more wanted and I cannot express how very lucky were were to be able to adopt them. Better than hitting a huge lotto prize. Better than anything that had ever happened to us. Every life is here to impact others for a purpose God designates. My youngest is now a paramedic who has saved lives in the course of his job. That is making a difference with your life.
My husband died young and unexpectedly, and it was a heartbreak for us. I mostly raised my sons alone. It was not how I pictured my life was going to be and it was a struggle for a long time. We hit many bumps in the road along the way. Fast forward 20 years. My boys are men. I am happy and have friends and activities that , at my lowest point after my husband’s death , I could not have imagined.
Every day gives us a change at a new beginning. Every day is a fresh start. Imagine your future and grab it with both hands. It may take some time but you CAN get there. Please try. Because it’s likely that God plans for you to have a positive impact on others. “How” may not even be evident at this moment. You may be making a difference right now and not know it. Only God can see the whole picture. Our job is to keep trying.
It may be helpful for you to talk to a professional about how you feel. They can give you techniques for handling your relationship with your mother, and help you find your own strong sense of self. Fight for who you want to be. Dont let anyone else paint your own picture.
Remember what they say in the movie,” Its a Wonderful Life”?——- “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Stay around and discover who God wants you to be. I will pray for you. Don’t give up. Find a new path. Lean on God, who always loves you.
Please don’t give up in finding the self-esteem God wants for you. Everyone here at CWR among readers and commenters and editors will pray for you.
My own story includes a sadly ignorant father who told me similar things, and rather than encourage me, always told me I’d fail at everything. Well, I acquired four degrees and accomplished much in my field. I was also a successful athlete in my youth. But it did take a long time to have a positive self-image, which only came about after overcoming my atheism. Never lose sight of the fact that God loves you as if you were the only one He ever created.
The greatest souls who ever lived became close to God and many had to overcome backgrounds of tragic hardship. You have my prayers.
Oh dear, God loves you, and I do too. You are not a mistake. Turn to the Blessed Mother and ask for her intercession to help you heal from all that pain.
Please pray for your mother. That you are reading this site shows that you can actually be an example to her and others. We are all praying for you. As many have pointed out here, you are of value to God and will be of value to others in need of one kind of another, even in need of a kind word or a smile or a question of how they are doing. Again, you are of value to God and to your fellow men and women.