Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

Scores of anxious families of the passengers aboard the Azerbaijan plane that crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday are desperately waiting for news of their loved ones.

Of all the 67 people on board, 38 were killed in the crash, and 29 survivors including two children were pulled from the wreckage, Kazakh authorities said on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny before it made an emergency landing at Aktau airport.

"It's my cousin. He was supposed to come and return quickly. More precisely, he was bringing his brother's child and then planned to return. There has been no contact since the incident. My cousin's name is only on the list, but we have no information about whether he is alive or not. He worked over there and he brought his brother's child to Azerbaijan. His brother contacted him yesterday and maybe, again this morning, he told his brother but his father is not aware of that. His father is also waiting for news from us," said Ramazanov Azer, cousin of a passenger on board the plane.

According to Azerbaijan Airlines, among all the 67 people on board, 62 were passengers and five were crew members.

Kazakh media reports showed that the passengers on board included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan.

Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

Anxious families wait for updates on Azerbaijan plane crash victims

A contemporary Chinese art exhibition has been held at the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest, playing a vibrant role in fostering cultural ties between the East and the West. The exhibits, including brush paintings and sculptures on mountains, rivers, plants, blend traditional brushwork with Western influences, creating a serene, meditative atmosphere.

The artists' deep connection with the natural world is a window that the "Chinese Xieyi exhibition'' at the Hungarian National Museum presents to the public to explore Chinese philosophy, according to Tunde FegyvAri-Komori, curator of the Hungarian National Museum.

"This exhibition is a collection of 58 artworks, including four sculptures from 58 different artists, from the National Art Museum of China's collection. And they represent modern and contemporary artworks, partly reflecting back to the traditional Chinese painting and Chinese art, and partly reflecting to Western influences in art, which mostly started arriving in China after the 1970s and the 80s," said FegyvAri-Komori.

Much of the exhibition showcases traditional Chinese brushwork, where delicate strokes create intricate designs and meanings that express deep philosophical meanings, allowing viewers to experience the world from their perspective.

"The Chinese curators constructed the exhibition around these three topics and these three main aspects to approach Xieyi itself. The first one is called 'yi', which translates as meaning. This focuses on the essence of the topic. The second one is form, which in Chinese is 'xing,' and it's quite similar to meaning, but from a different approach. They are focusing on the form itself that they see, but they are not aiming at mirroring reality. The third one is called 'interest,' or in Chinese called 'qu.' And in this last part, I would say that it's a combination of the first two," said FegyvAri-Komori.

One standout piece is a sculpture that blends mythology and modern art, depicting Lao Tzu departing from the Qin Empire (221 BC to 207 BC), carrying the wisdom that shaped Taoist thought with him. The ox-head panther he rides symbolizes mysticism and the spiritual journey, adding another mythical dimension to the work.

"It expresses Xieyi very well, but at the same time, it also expresses a little bit of Western modern art, abstract art," said FegyvAri-Komori.

For many visitors, the exhibition is a chance to experience the dynamic evolution of Chinese art.

"My father had several books about Chinese art, about porcelains, ceramics, and paintings. It always struck me how different it is from our European tradition. There's a subtlety and sensitivity in it. The way they express emotions feels so unique and profound," said Daniel, a visitor.

The exhibition, part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, celebrates cultural exchange and shared appreciation for art and culture.

Contemporary Chinese art expo held in Hungary helps cultivate ties between east and west