Zhang Xin, founder of the "Commune by the Great Wall", Tuesday received the Mont Blanc Award for Arts Sponsorship in Beijing.
The commune, initiated and sponsored by Zhang Xin, collected modern design works of 12 Asian architects. It was invited to attend the 8th International Architecture Expo in Venice, and was awarded by the world renowned exposition for its innovative spirit.
The Mont Blanc Award for Arts Sponsorship was founded in 1992 by the century-old company of Mont Blanc, to award and encourage those dedicated to cultural and arts sectors.
James Siano, president in charge of Asia-Pacific business of Mont Blanc told Xinhua that more and more active Chinese artists have drawn much attention within the international arts circle, and the award-giving organizations as well.
According to him, Xiao Xiangyu, a well-known Chinese performingartist in Yu Opera, was the first Chinese artist from the Chinese mainland to gain the Mont Blanc award last year, for her contribution to revitalizing the Chinese traditional arts and founding the Yu opera schools.
Likewise, Zhang Xin, with her compatriots of the "Commune", also set up a platform for dialogues between Chinese architects and their counterparts worldwide.
So far, 85 artists and sponsors from Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Spain, Japan, Italy, Singapore have received the award from Mont Blanc.
