On Friday 5 February 2016, one of the most famous contemporary Chinese artists Ai Weiwei visited the Faculty of Arts and held a discussion which attracted an audience of more than 1,000. The discussion was organised by Václav Havel Library in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and the National Gallery in Prague. The eminent artist was invited to Prague by the National Gallery for a two-day visit. After the discussion, he launched his exhibition „The Zodiac“ in front of the Trade Fair Palace.
After a welcome speech by Faculty of Arts Dean Mirjam Fried, the discussion was opened by the director of Václav Havel Library Michael Žantovský. The National Gallery was represented by its director, Jiří Fajt, and the sinologist Olga Lomová took part on behalf of the Faculty of Arts. Questions from the audience concerned not only Ai Weiwei‘ own works also the political and human rights issues in contemporary China.
Many prominent guests attended the event, including the American Ambassador to Czech Republic Andrew Schapiro.
The discussion was filmed by the Czech Television and is available online.
Photographs: FA Archive
