Children's art bridges Ningbo with the world

A vibrant celebration of global creativity unfolded in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, as young artists from across the world shared their visions for the future.

On July 2, the award ceremony and exhibition opening for the "Technology @ Future" 2025 Ningbo International Sister Cities Youth Painting Competition took place at the Ningbo Children's Library. Out of 1,021 submissions, 185 winning pieces were selected, including 72 from overseas. Now in its fifth edition, the competition has gained strong international traction, with nearly 5,000 entries submitted over the years.

This year's theme invited young minds to explore how technology shapes lives and drives innovation. Participants came from across China, including Macao, as well as 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Children from 19 of Ningbo's international sister cities contributed works rich in imagination and cultural perspective, offering a vivid display of artistic talent and global friendship.

The event was attended by the mayor of Irkutsk, Russia, who led a delegation to Ningbo following the recent formalization of sister-city ties. The Irkutsk delegation donated beautifully illustrated books to the library, and the mayor delivered heartfelt remarks, praising the role of cultural exchange in strengthening international bonds.

Meanwhile, young awardees from Armenia, Vietnam, Poland, South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia shared their joy through video messages.

The exhibition is open to the public until Aug 31 on the second floor of the Ningbo Children's Library.

Winning pieces of the "Technology @ Future" 2025 Ningbo International Sister Cities Youth Painting Competition are on display at the Ningbo Children's Library. [Photo by Zhou Xiaosi for Ningbo Daily]