By Zhao Yu

Ningbo's graphic seal engraving art was showcased at the United Nations for a second consecutive year on June 8 during an event marking the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Held under the theme "Equal Dialogue among Civilizations for a Better Future through Multilateral Cooperation", the exhibition featured graphic seal engravings created by artists from Ningbo's Jiangbei District, drawing diplomats, cultural figures and international participants.

Part of the UN's International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations program, the exhibition used graphic seals to represent the unique cultural identity of each of the UN's 193 member states. More than 30 works by over 10 Ningbo artists were displayed.

One of the exhibition's highlights was a scroll stretching more than 30 meters in length. It opened with an inscription of the event's theme, written by Chen Zhenlian, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and deputy director and secretary-general of the Xiling Seal Society. The scroll then presented graphic seals representing all 193 UN member states.

Each seal was also individually featured on a hanging scroll, depicting universally recognizable symbols of each country: a kangaroo for Australia, the Parthenon for Greece, and the Little Mermaid for Denmark.

Unlike traditional Chinese seal carving, graphic seals rely on imagery rather than Chinese characters. Each design distills a country's landscapes, cultural icons and national symbols into a visual composition, making the works easily understood across languages and cultures.

Among the featured works was a newly created seal themed around peace and solidarity by Ruan Xie, a seal artist from Jiangbei and head of the Graphic Seal Innovation Project. The piece was presented as a commemorative gift to distinguished guests attending the event.

"The design draws inspiration from Picasso's dove of peace and combines it with the artistic style of Chinese seal carving," Ruan said. "Four pairs of clasped hands surround the dove, symbolizing unity, mutual support and friendship among people from around the world."

According to Ruan, this year's exhibition marked an expansion of Ningbo's participation after the project made its UN debut at last year's inaugural International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations event.