A photo exhibition highlighting the works of photographers from Shandong and Bavaria was unveiled on Jan 25 in Weifang, Shandong province celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Shandong-Bavaria friendly ties.

Under the support of the information office and the foreign affairs office of the Shandong provincial government and the state office of Bavaria, the exhibition was jointly organized by the Confucius Institute in Munich, the Bavaria Photography Association, and the information office of Weifang government.

The opening ceremony of a joint photography exhibition by Shandong and Bavarian photographers is held on Jan 25 in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/sdchina.com]

The event was also part of a series of celebratory events for the 30th anniversary of the sister relationship between the two sides, displaying about 120 works featuring natural scenery, folk traditions and historical culture, as well as social life of Shandong and Bavaria.

More than 200 distinguished guests from government, cultural and media circles participated in the opening ceremony.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Liu Yuxiang, deputy director of the Weifang publicity department, said that Weifang has always attached great importance to cultural construction.

Liu said that Weifang is one of the representative cities of Shandong with beautiful landscape, profound cultural and historical background, and competitive economic strength. Liu added that the exhibition will help display Weifang’s image of innovation, pragmatism and openness, and further cultural exchanges with Bavaria.

A visitor takes photos of one exhibit at the joint photography exhibition by Shandong and Bavarian photographers in Weifang, Shandong province, Jan 25. [Photo/sdnews.com.cn]

Hou Heliang, the honorary president of Shandong Photographers Association, said the exhibition will also help develop friendship between photographers from both sides and enhance mutual understanding.

Hou added that exhibition, which has taken place in different cities of Shandong and Bavaria, has drawn great attention from the public for it displays the special charm of Shandong and Bavaria under the different cultural backgrounds.

The exhibition attracted many local photographers, shutterbugs and residents to get a glimpse of Bavaria.

"The exhibition offers an opportunity for me to appreciate the excellent scenery, cultural life and customs of Bavaria in the form of photography," said a visitor surnamed Li.

Before the exhibition, photographers from both sides were organized to explore local customs and practices in a 15-day photographic tour of Jinan, Tai'an, Jining, Weifang and Qingdao in Shandong and Munich, Wuerzburg and Swabia in Germany.

The joint photography exhibition by Shandong and Bavarian photographers attracts crowds of visitors on Jan 25 in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/sdnews.com.cn]