Shanghai-Barcelona cultural exchange through the lens of sports images

As China and Spain mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, as well as over 20 years of sisterhood between Shanghai and Barcelona, a new Shanghai sports culture-themed photography exhibition has opened in Barcelona.

The exhibition features nearly 50 sports images taken by photojournalists, covering different eras, and reflecting the urban development of Shanghai and the careers of athletes. Through these significant moments frozen in time, international audiences are able to gain a deeper understanding of the past and present of Shanghai as a city competing in sports, as well as the hopes it holds for the future.

At the exhibition, a set of black-and-white photographs taken in the 1950s and 1960s have attracted many viewers. These images reflect the hard-working spirit of Chinese athletes, as well as the vibrant social atmosphere of sports participation in Shanghai.

"I've been here," exclaimed a Barcelona resident who had previously visited Shanghai, repeatedly examining old photos of the construction of the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in 1973 and new photos after the stadium was upgraded last year. "It's amazing. I didn't expect this venue to have such a long history. Many buildings in Shanghai are truly unforgettable!"

This image exhibition, positioned as a cultural exchange between the two cities, also includes photos of several Spanish athletes. For example, there are photos of well-known basketball players Pau Gasol and Yao Ming facing off in NBA games and from their participation in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, alongside photos of renowned tennis player Rafael Nadal participating in the Shanghai Masters in 2007 and 2017.

In addition, there are two photos featuring the International Olympic Committee Vice President and founder and honorary chairman of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, Juan Antonio Samaranch. These photos reveal his deep connection with the city of Shanghai: on December 1, 2013, he and his wife participated in the Shanghai International Marathon, and on November 25, 2018, he returned to the city to serve as the image ambassador for the Shanghai Vertical Marathon.

As Shanghai and Barcelona draw closer, there is reason to believe that the stories of sports and friendship will continue to unfold between the two.