At the opening ceremony of the 13th International Cultural Festival of Peking University, Lin Jianhua, president of Peking University, accepted on behalf of the university ThePortrait of Mr. Cai Yuanpei donated by renowned artist Wang Qijun.

　　Mr. Cai Yuanpei took office as president of Peking University in 1917 and the year of 2017 will see its 100th anniversary. The idea of "freedom of thought and all embracing" laid a solid foundation for the guiding concept of the running of Peking University and expedited the process for the university to become one of the most famous Chinese universities. The practice that Peking University hold the international cultural festival was a brand new interpretation of the idea of "freedom of thought and all embracing" in the new historic stage. Ambassadors and diplomats from many countries attended the opening ceremony of the 13th International Cultural Festival of Peking University on October 23, 2016, at which overseas students from different countries delivered performances with the characteristics of their own countries to showcase the open, diversified and international features of Peking University. ThePortrait of Mr. Cai Yuanpei donated by Wang Qijun highlighted the opening ceremony.

　　ThePortrait of Mr. Cai Yuanpei is one of the works of Professor Wang Qijun's solo art exhibition entitled "Singing While Traveling in Nostalgia" held in Peking University. In such a memorable year, the exhibition of the painting not merely reflected the exquisite painting skills and profound sentiments for life of Professor Wang, but also, more importantly, gave faculty and students of Peking University and people from all walks of life an opportunity to express their gratitude in remembrance of the contributions made by President CaiYuanpei.

　　The"Singing While Traveling in Nostalgia-Solo Art Exhibition of Professor Wang Qijun, a Famous Artist Traveling from Canada and an Overseas Visiting Scholar of Peking University" is to be held at Peking University Hall during October 23-27, 2016. Professor Wu Zhipan, Deputy President of Peking University pointed out in his speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition that Professor Wang's paintings displayed aprofound spirit and culture of the nation and passed on the strongest sense of nostalgia. At the same time these paintings also expressed the purpose of the cultural festival to publicize the fine culture of the nation and enhance foreigners' understanding of Chinese culture.

　　Wang Qijun, present professor of China Central Academy of Fine Arts ,and also one of the 60 most representative artists since the foundation of the People's Republic of China, has also been to the University of Toronto and the Glasgow School of Art for academicexchanges or work. Sincehis school years, Wang Qijun has been painting Chinese traditional dwellings. He often held art exhibitions and lectures during his teaching in a bid to introduce to the world China's traditional residential culture. He has been frequently invited to share his profound knowledge of Chinese aesthetics as seen in China's traditional residential architecture with foreigners in Beijing Foreign Studies University and China Culture Center.

　　The International Cultural Festival of Peking University has so far been held13 times, and this year it is themed on "Vision, Voice & Action" which undoubtedly echoes the essence of Singing While Traveling in Nostalgia.