A red-colored, oversized 'longevity chair' by Chinese sculptor Fu Zhongwang, was on the show to greet visitors at the opening ceremony on Mar. 4, 2014. [photo/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China]

Malta's first permanent sculpture garden featuring the works of 11 contemporary artists opened at the Verdala Palace, west of the Mediterranean country.

A red-colored, oversized 'longevity chair' decorated with a large pair of antler-like branches, was on the show to greet visitors at the opening ceremony on Tuesday. It was the contribution of Fu Zhongwang, a Chinese sculptor from Hubei province.

"Chair stands for land, authority and power. Two antler-like branches of the chair mean stability, health, longevity and prosperity," Chinese Ambassador to Malta Cai Jinbiao explained.

"It's nice to see the official opening ceremony of the sculpture exhibition in Malta... (part) of a flourishing China-Malta friendship," he added.

"The site now provides a peaceful place where one can rest, with benches designed by students based on leaves and produced out of steel. The emphasis of the garden will also be on education, apart from serving as a permanent exhibition," said President George Abela while inaugurating the garden.

The project for the sculpture garden was launched in collaboration with students from Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) Art and Design Institute, to provide artists with the opportunity to exhibit their works in the wooded entrance to the presidential summer palace.

An inspirational area has also been reserved for children, featuring a giant chessboard, where the visitors are free to express their creativity by painting or drawing on the chess pieces as a canvas.

The gardens and the palace will open to the public on March 9.

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