In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Shanghai and Hamburg, the art exchange program “From Huangpu River to Elbe River” took place in Hamburg on September 20, 2025. Six outstanding artists from both cities came together to promote intercultural dialogue and honor the longstanding partnership in an inspiring exhibition.
The participating artists were:
- Li Lei, a leading figure in Chinese abstract art
- Lu Lan, known for her unique East-West fusion style
- Jiang Hai Cang, renowned for his abstract figurative works
- Natalja Nouri, exploring the cosmic relationship between life and the universe
- Michael Knepper, combining realism with abstract symbolism
- Lionel Machris, specializing in fine-art photography using 24-karat gold
Special guests added prestige to the event:
- JIN Songbao, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Hamburg
- Yang Yan, Head of the Science and Technology Department at the Shanghai Foreign Culture Association
- Lina Peng, Partner at Pashmin Art Shanghai
- Parvati Vasanta, Advisor for Asia, Sister-City Partnerships Shanghai and Osaka
The event was jointly organized by the Shanghai Foreign Culture Association and Pashmin Art, Hamburg, with co-organization by Shanghai Xingfu Li Cultural and Art Development Co., Ltd., Shanghai Dawei Culture, and the Pashmin Art Gallery in Germany. The project was supported by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
This art event served as an inspiring prelude to a historic milestone, celebrating art, culture, and international friendship. The published photos provide a glimpse of the vernissage, interactions among the artists, the presence of distinguished guests, and the vibrant atmosphere of this unique evening.