Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - More than 80 works of art including paintings, sculptures, paper work, panels with written biblical themes, made by 15 priests, religious, seminarians and laity of the Diocese of Beijing, were exposed from 4 to 12 June in the parish of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing during the first exhibition of the parish church dedicated to Sacred Art, set up for the occasion of the Year of Evangelization of the Lay. According to information gathered by Fides, the church centuries-old in baroque style, which was built by Father Matteo Ricci, contributed to giving a particular effect to the exhibition. According to the organizer "over 8 million visitors from China and abroad, got to know the Holy Scriptures and the Christian faith through this window of sacred art". Besides, it is also a way to show examples of the inculturation of the Gospel, because "sacred art in China has been in a way neglected for many reasons (war, mentality, way of perceiving faith ....). But today it is urgent to create harmony between the Gospel and traditional Chinese culture, and sacred art is the best way to reach the goal". Simultaneously to the exhibition, the parish also opened a Course of sacred music. Both initiatives were carried out in the Year of Evangelization of the Laity, to show how evangelism can be achieved through art and sacred music. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 18/06/2011)
