It was once nearly extinct due to the deterioration of the ecological environment.

It has also been reborn due to the improvement of the ecological environment.

It is a legendary bird of good fortune,

and also one of the "Four Treasures" of the Qinling Mountains

It is the rare bird known as the "Jewel of the East"

- the Crested Ibis

"The red jade is carved into a splendid hair, the red silk is cut out of the exquisite wings." This is the description of the color of the Crested Ibis in the book Avian Scriptures (禽经) from the Spring and Autumn period.

In the past 40 years, the number of global Crested Ibis has grown from seven to more than 7,000, with Shaanxi the "homeland" and Qinling the "Noah's Ark" of the Crested Ibis.

The Crested Ibis has created a classic example of saving an endangered species in the history of human civilization, from "discovery" to "protection" and from "reproduction" to "revival".

Musical The Story of the Crested Ibis at the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai

The Japan Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai completed 35 performances of the musical called Save the Crested Ibis every day during the Expo.

From November 12 to 27, 2022, the oil painting exhibition "Crested Ibis Beauty World and Harmonious Homeland" will be exhibited in the North Hall of the World Expo Museum.

The theme of the exhibition is "Humans and nature live in harmony. Humans and all things live together", and is divided into three chapters: Ecological Home, Fluttering Seasons and Flying into the Future. It conveys the sincere feelings of the painter Yanzi who loves the Qinling Mountains, the Crested Ibis and nature.

Ecological Home

The Qinling Mountains are the home and last refuge of the Crested Ibis, as well as a happy place for wild animals such as the giant panda, golden monkey and antelope to flourish here. According to statistics, there are more than 3,800 species of seed plants and 790 species of vertebrates in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province, including many national key protected plants and animals. The rich biodiversity has made the Qinling Mountains one of the 17 "Key Areas of Global Importance for Biodiversity Conservation" and one of the 35 "Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation" in China. Home of the Crested Ibis is a series of paintings to explore the beauty of the Qinling Mountains so that more people can appreciate the beauty and "listen" to the sound of the Qinling Mountains.

Fluttering Seasons

The beauty of the Qinling Mountains is in the lofty and magnificent mountains, in the trickling streams and gurgling water, in the grass and trees, birds and animals, but also in the wonderful four seasons and the fluttering Crested Ibis. In spring, the Crested Ibis dances among the hundred flowers; in summer, the Crested Ibis sings with the cicadas and frogs; in autumn, the Crested Ibis walks through the maple forest; in winter, the Crested Ibis is reflected with the silver costume.

Flying into the future

The Crested Ibis is the world's most valuable ecological spirit. Today, more and more people see it, care about it, love it, and consciously join the cause of protecting it, making the road to its recovery and restoration of its historical habitat brighter and brighter. We hope that in the near future, with our joint efforts, the Crested Ibis will fly higher and farther and return to its historical "home".

About the artist

Yanzi, a female, graduated from Communication University of China, majoring in art,"Crested Ibis Culture Promotion Ambassador","the First Person to the Crested Ibis Oil Painting", Russian-born Chinese oil painter, member of China Sketching Oil Painting Association, Russian Animal Oil Painting Society, Portrait Society of America, and Shaanxi Artists Association.

Opening Event

The Crested Ibis, a beautiful angel, is known as the "Jewel of the East" and the "Bird of Good Fortune".

In May 1981, the world's only seven wild Crested Ibis were rediscovered in Yang County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, and conservation work on the Crested Ibis began. The Chinese government gave the Crested Ibis to Japan and South Korea as a "national gift", and thus Japan and South Korea also have artificial populations of the Crested Ibis. As a result, the Crested Ibis is also known as a "messenger of friendship" between China, Japan and Korea.

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China, Japan, and Korea. On the afternoon of November 12, the friendly exchange activity between China, Japan and Korea called "Crested Ibis Beauty World" kicked off at the World Expo Museum, co-organized by Shanghai provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shaanxi provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shaanxi Forestry Bureau and Shanghai Forestry Bureau, and co-sponsored by Shanghai World Expo Museum and the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government Office in Shanghai.

As the main part of the event, the seminar "Crested Ibis Beauty World - Building a Community of Life with Nature and Cooperation between China, Japan and Korea" was held at WE Theater in the World Expo Museum.

On the same day, in the North Hall of the World Expo Museum, the oil painting exhibition "Crested Ibis Beauty World and Harmonious Home" was opened and will be on display until Nov. 27.

In addition, the first film based on the conservation of the Crested Ibis,"The Bird Whisperer", will be screened on November 13 at the Special-effect Cinema of the Crested Ibis.

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