With the crisp autumn breeze softly touching the earth, this is indeed a perfect time to capture beauty through the lens of photography. On the afternoon of October 17th, the 10th Jinan International Photography Biennale officially opened at the Changqing Campus of Shandong University of Art & Design. The event was organized under the guidance of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and the Silk Road National Photography Organization International Alliance, co-hosted by the China Artistic Photography Society, the Publicity Department of the Jinan Municipal Committee of the CPC, Shandong University of Art & Design, and the Shandong International Cultural Exchange Center.
In his speech, Riccardo Busi reviewed the history of interactions between FIAP and the Chinese photography community. He emphasized that FIAP, the largest international photography organization recognized by UNESCO, represents the interests of over 200 million professional and amateur photographers across more than 120 member countries. Busi highlighted that China, as a powerhouse in photography, establishing an office in the country aligns with the global trend of photographic development. This decision, made after long-term research and deliberation by the FIAP Board, has garnered significant attention and support from the Chinese government. The establishment of the FIAP China Office in Jinan marks a historic milestone in international exchange and cooperation for China, symbolizing the beginning of a new era of deep and comprehensive collaboration between FIAP and China. The office will undertake the important mission of promoting the prosperity and development of international photographic art within China.
The 10th Jinan International Photography Biennale features over 1,000 works across 12 exhibition projects, displayed simultaneously at the Shandong University of Art & Design Art Museum, the FIAP Permanent Exhibition Center, and the Yantai Baguawan International Convention and Exhibition Center. Among the highlights is the "World Cup International Student Photography Competition Winners' Exhibition," featuring award-winning works from students in countries such as Sri Lanka, Oman, Iran, Russia, Egypt, and Indonesia. These works were selected from over 8,000 entries submitted by more than 1,000 university students from over 200 schools in 50 countries. Another prominent exhibition, "Dialogue Between the Civilizations of the Yellow River and the Nile: Sino-African Earth Photography Art Exhibition," showcases multi-dimensional and multi-perspective depictions of the history, geography, and customs of regions surrounding these two iconic rivers, representing the mother rivers of China and Africa. Additionally, the "International Photography Masters (MFIAP) Joint Exhibition" features outstanding works by seven world-renowned photographers from countries such as Russia, Finland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Spain, and Italy, awarded by FIAP between 2018 and 2024. Other exhibitions making their debut in China include the "Photographic Society of America (PSA) Members' Photography Exhibition" and the "Indonesian Photography Federation's Outstanding Photography Exhibition."
Since its inception in 2006, the Jinan International Photography Biennale has had an 18-year illustrious journey. Supported by domestic and international photography organizations, especially FIAP, the biennale has made significant contributions to the internationalization of Chinese photography. It has grown to become one of the most important and influential photography events in China. The biennale adheres to the principles of "academic, international, professional, and documentary" and emphasizes the integration of photographic exhibitions with academic research and theoretical exploration. This "trinity" of exhibitions, scholarship, and achievements has established the biennale as a unique cultural brand within the Chinese photography scene.
Over 300 participants attended the event, including FIAP board members, journalists from domestic and international media, renowned photographers from more than 20 countries such as France, Italy, Greece, Belgium, New Zealand, Hungary, Egypt, Oman, Iran, Singapore, and Indonesia, as well as award-winning university students and international students from institutions in Jinan.