On May 11, 2023, at 16:00 Beijing time, the WOAC Art Competition 2023 China Conference with the theme "Art Connects the World" was held in Beijing. The event was guided and supported by the WOAC and over a hundred distinguished guests were invited including figures of foreign institutions in China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, state-owned enterprises, domestic and international associations, renowned artist representatives, private enterprises, mainstream media, etc.

The Executive President of the WOAC, Rachel Qin

Rachel Qin, the Executive President of the WOAC, presented the overall plan for the WOAC Art Competition 2023. Greece has been invited as the guest country for the conference, and a holy water collection ceremony will be held in Delphi, Greece in July, where teenagers selected from six continents will participate and sprinkle the spring water into the sea, symbolizing the connection of art with the world. The WOAC Art Competition Holy Water Global Tour will then take place in August, traveling through Greece, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland and other countries. From October 5th to 8th, the World Artists Exhibition of WOAC Art Competition 2023 will be held at Zappeion Palace in Greece. In September, a grand opening ceremony, red carpet show, "Starry Sky Appointment" artwork exhibition, art forums, award ceremonies, and closing banquet will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. The WOAC Art Competition aims to promote global cultural and artistic exchanges and integration, establish a global platform for artistic dialogue, and foster mutual learning between civilizations. By combining culture, art, and technology, it will integrate the full chain of digital copyright, digital artwork rights, circulation, and protection, thus connecting the world through art.

The WOAC Art Competition 2023 will involve various categories such as animation, architecture, theater, ceramic, film, comic, crypto art, dance, drawing, landscape art, jewelry art, music, new media, painting, photography, sculpture, tapestry, video game art, etc. During the event, Geneva will welcome artists and cultural enthusiasts from all over the world to engage in discussions on topics such as the environment, climate, and energy. The final round of the exhibition will showcase outstanding works in each art category, and the jury will present the winners with the Six-Star Trophy and the top global award, the WOAC Art Competition Grand Prize.

Group photo of some experts appointed

At the promotion conference, honorary certificates and appointments were awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of culture and art. Huang Yongyu, Han Meilin, Fan Zeng, and Wang Liping received the "International WOAC Art Competition Lifetime Achievement Award," Tang Shuangning was honored with the "International WOAC Art Competition Innovation Award," Myo Khin received the "International WOAC Art Competition Special Contribution Award," Zhou Changxin was granted the "International WOAC Art Competition Special Contribution Award," Chen Dan received the "International WOAC Art Competition Design Art Award," and Cui Zimo was presented with the "International WOAC Art Competition Science and Art Award." At the same time, several cooperation agreements were signed to recognize and support organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the fields of environment, climate, and energy. Qin Wen, Executive President of the WOAC, signed cooperation agreements with Shen Dechun, Chairman of Guokerry (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., and Wang Ruiguang, Chairman of Beijing Ruiyi Guanghua Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. Zhou Changxin, Executive Chair of the WOAC Art Competition 2023 China Organizing Committee, signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the WOAC Art Competition World Dance Congress with Ge Zhengqi, County Governor of Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County. Zhao Daxin, Deputy Executive Chair of the WOAC Art Competition 2023 China Organizing Committee, signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the WOAC Art Competition Metaverse Technology System with Jia Zhendan, Secretary-General of the Digital Metaverse Working Committee of the China Advertising Association. Li Lei, Representative of the WOAC Asia-Pacific Region, signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish an artistic exchange platform with Tong Longjun, Dean of Nanjing Institute of Overseas Business and Management and Member of the Macau University of Science and Technology Foundation Trustee Committee. Hu Zhifeng, Director of the WOAC China Film Art Committee, signed a cooperation agreement for the film section of the WOAC Art Competition Games with Zhang Yang, CEO of the Executive Unit of the Asia-Europe Images International Film Festival. Fan Qichen, Deputy Secretary-General of the WOAC Art Competition 2023 China Organizing Committee, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Wang Guoji, President of the Electronic Sports Management Committee of the China Culture Management Association.

The roundtable forum

The roundtable forum was themed "Harmony in Diversity: Beauty through Benevolence." Jia Zhendan, Chair of the Europe Images International Film Festival Organizing Committee, presided over the forum, which featured discussions on multiculturalism and the spirit of WOAC Art Competition. Forum participants included Kees Van Oostrum, Member of the WOAC Expert Committee and the former President of the American Society of Cinematographers (Netherlands); Victoria Khu, CEO of SCOLAR Network (Chair of the SCO Youth Platform); Zhao Pu, Founder of the China Craftsmen Conference and Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the WOAC Handicraft Committee; Han Decheng, Vice President of the Fashion Group and Chair of the China Management Committee; and other guests who engaged in discussions on diverse cultures and the spirit of WOAC Art Competition.

The Advisory Committee Chair of the WOAC, Michele Genovese, former Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, Zhao Shaohua, former Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Guan JingHui, Rachel Qin, Executive President of the WOAC, Wang Liping, Honorary Chair of the China Music Copyright Association, Wang Zhiyuan, Director of the WOAC Traditional Culture Committee, Nestor Tyrovouzis, Greek Cultural Counselor, Feng Shuangbai, Chair of the China Dancers Association, Bai Shiyuan, Prominent Collector, Zhou Changxin, Representative of the WOAC (Switzerland) Beijing Office, Wang Peng, Representative Inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Project "Guqin Art," Cui Zimo, Renowned Artist, Fang Jinlong, Master of Chinese Music, Liu Xiaoguang, Chinese Go Master, Shang Hui, Director Shang Hui, Director of the China Artists Association's Theoretical Committee, Wu Pu'ao, Director of the WOAC Photography Committee, Zhang Jianguo, Director of the Peking Opera Committee, Fan Changwei, Director of the A-Culture Center, Fan Changwei, Director of the Tai Chi Culture Committee, Liu Yong, General Planner of the Shanxi "Yuanjiagu" Beautiful Village project, Chen Dan, Chairman of the Zhengbang Brand Consulting Service Group, Zhang Yang, General Manager of Beijing Yuanquan Technology Co., Ltd., as well as international entrepreneurs, artists, and collectors from 23 countries and regions around the world engaged in interactive exchanges at the event. Various leaders delivered speeches and expressed their views. The distinguished guests unanimously acknowledged that WOAC Art Competition 2023 is an important artistic event that will promote global cultural and artistic exchange and integration, build a global platform for artistic dialogue, facilitate civilizational exchanges and mutual learning among countries, and connect the world through art.

The Advisory Committee Chair of the WOAC, Michele Genovese

former Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, Zhao Shaohua

former Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Guan JingHui

Wang Liping, Honorary Chair of the China Music Copyright Association

Group photo of some artists

WOAC Art Competition Metaverse