Evgenios Kalpyris, Greek ambassador to China, announced the three winners of the Ambassador's Choice Award for Children's Competition at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair International Illustration Awards at China National Convention Center on Friday.
The nationwide children's art competition organized by China National Publications Import & Export Co Ltd had seen an enthusiastic response, with over 1,400 submissions received by the end of April. The competition, launched on March 12, invited children to create artwork inspired by Greek myths.
Over 300 entries made it to the second round, showcasing the young artists' talent and creativity. The first prize was awarded to 8-year-old Feng Rui from Shanghai for her painting titled Triumphant Return, which depicts Odysseus returning home after a long and arduous journey.
"I tried to represent a sense of peace and beauty by imagining the sea being vast and the sky very blue," said the young winner, describing her artwork.
The competition judges were impressed by the high quality of the submissions. "Our first-place winner has captured the majesty and mystery of the sea," said judge Kalpyris.
"The competition highlights the enduring power of art to connect us to stories and myths that have captivated imaginations for centuries. Each of these drawings tells a story that goes beyond words," said Kalpyris.
