Mayor of Florence Cristina Giachi and founder of the International Muse Award Giuliana Plastino Fiumicelli announced the winners of the 50th edition of the award in Florence on June 9. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Mayor of Florence Cristina Giachi and award founder Giuliana Plastino Fiumicelli announced the complete list of winners of the 50th edition of the International Muse Award at a press conference in Salone dei Cirquecento on June 9 in Italy.

Chinese artist Wang Hongjian is to receive the Erato award, which recognizes excellence in art. Wang, born in 1955, will be the first Asian artist and also the first Chinese artist to receive a Muse award in five years. The award ceremony will be held on June 13.

At the press conference, Giachi elaborated on the significance of the Muse awards to Florence and the time and thought put into selecting candidates each year. Fiumicelli, who founded the award, added her thoughts on its 50th edition.

"This year is a special year, because it is the 150th year since Florence became the ancient capital of Italy, the 750th anniversary since the birth of Dante (an Italian poet) and the year the World Expo is held in Milan. Italy has come into focus again, and the 50th edition of the International Muse Award will be the icing on the cake," Fiumicelli said.

The term "Muse", when capitalized, refers to any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences. Professionals in 12 fields are to be awarded for their work at the upcoming ceremony.