Recently, the Shanghai Art Collection Museum was honored to receive a precious collection of books donated by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. This donation, a testament to the cultural friendship between China and Slovakia, offers a multifaceted exploration into the soul and landscape of this Central European nation.

The donated collection is rich in variety, covering art, photography, literature, folklore, and natural heritage, with a core of high-quality art catalogs. They are not only vessels of knowledge but also a visual feast of Slovak artistic and cultural essence.

Martin Kmet's Magical Waters of Slovakia focuses on meandering rivers and serene lakes, telling the ancient stories of water and land. Magical Sacral Monuments of Slovakia (also by Martin Kmet') guides readers through time and space to appreciate the faith and history embodied in serene and solemn churches and monasteries.

Art is expressed in many ways. Photography collections like On Their Shoulders: A Book about Those Who Carry a Somewhat Heavier Load and Piacka capture the images of ordinary laborers and moments of everyday life with profound humanistic concern.

The poetry collection I was Not Born For Quiet features the passionate and rebellious verses of Janko Kral', a significant poet from the Slovak National Revival period. 

Particularly special is the book 斯洛伐克人在龙的国度 (Slovaks in the Land of the Dragon), which serves as a bridge, vividly narrating the stories of Slovaks living, working, and culturally integrating in China, closely connecting the contemporary humanistic exchanges between our two nations.

The Shanghai Art Collection Museum hereby extends its sincerest gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic for this generous donation. This precious gift significantly enriches our museum's collection of European art literature, providing researchers, artists, and the general public with valuable resources to gain a deeper understanding of Slovak culture.

We believe that books are the best ambassadors for mutual learning among civilisations. This collection will be properly archived and planned for future thematic reading sessions, research reference, and small-scale cultural exhibitions. They will serve as a bridge of knowledge, art, and friendship connecting Shanghai and Slovakia, continually inspiring public interest and respect for diverse cultures, and jointly painting a splendid picture of civilizational exchange.