SOFIA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A China-Bulgaria painting exhibition, titled "Contemplation and Dialogue" and dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria, opened at the Bulgarian Parliament on Friday.

A total of 125 paintings created by six Chinese and seven Bulgarian artists during a joint trip in several Bulgarian cities in May and in the municipality of Ningbo in China in June are presented during the exhibition, which will last until Oct. 7.

The artists have gathered together, and shoulder to shoulder studied the course of history, Vice President of Bulgarian Parliament Emil Hristov said at the opening ceremony.

With their lyrical approach, they visualized the power of the two civilizations, encouraging the deepening of mutual understanding, Hristov said.

Looking at the paintings one by one, "I immersed in a world of friendship," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun said in turn that Chinese and Bulgarian artists embarked on a journey starting from Bulgaria's capital city Sofia and reaching Ningbo, the port city of Maritime Silk Road.

History clearly showed that every great civilization in its path of development has borrowed elements from other cultures, Dong said.

This applied to both Chinese and Bulgarian civilizations, he said.

"Contacts and exchanges, sharing of experience and learning from one another, are crucial and are an indispensable driving force for their development," Dong said.

Weng Lumin, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of Ningbo People's Congress, who also attended the ceremony, said that during this journey, the artists watched with their eyes, felt with their hearts, and with their brushes created incredible masterpieces.

"The artists from China and Bulgaria have made us appreciate in depth the fascination of the two cultures, which achieve harmony despite differences and find unity in the beauty," Weng said.