Dongying in East China's Shandong province launched a painting exchange event with Ifrane, Morocco, on Jan 10, as part of the preparations for World Wetlands Day on Feb 2.
The event took place at the Shandong Qilu Culture Promotion Association, where five expert judges selected 120 outstanding paintings from nearly 300 submissions.
Experts select paintings that were sent to Ifrane, Morocco for an exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: dyswsb]
Fifty of these artworks, along with some Dongying intangible cultural heritage handcrafts and cultural products, were sent to Ifrane, Morocco, for an exhibition around World Wetlands Day. In return, the city of Ifrane will send 50 youth paintings to Dongying for display alongside local masterpieces.
Both Dongying and Ifrane are designated international wetland cities, and their partnership deepened following the 2024 Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors. The exhibition is a joint initiative to promote wetlands conservation, cultural exchange, and ecological education. International cooperation, like this event, can raise awareness on environmental issues, so youth understand the importance of protecting wetlands.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering cultural ties and advancing mutual goals in wetland preservation and ecological sustainability between Dongying and Ifrane.