Song lyrics in paintings showcased in Shanghai

Familiarity with its cultural soul is the key to understanding a nation, and in China's case that includes exploring and appreciating the poetry and lyrics gifted to the world by its 5,000-year civilization.

Tang poetry and Song lyrics have long been regarded as twin masterpieces of Chinese literary tradition. The lyrics originated in the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty, took shape in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. Song lyrics are a relatively new style of poetry compared to the ancient style, and capture the essence of the wisdom of scholars in the Song Dynasty.

From Aug 2 to Sep 24, the exquisite and graceful series II exhibition of "Song Lyrics in Paintings" is on display at the Xie Zhiliu & Chen Peiqiu Art Center in Minhang District of Shanghai, featuring 30 Chinese traditional paintings by artists from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai to illustrate 30 Chinese-English Song lyrics translated by Professor Xu Yuanchong.