Walter Winkler will always live in the hearts of
Chinese photographers
My name is Sun Yancong. I worked in China Photographers Association until retired. I have been a good friend of Mr. Walter Winkler for a long time. I am very appreciated to have the chance to say farewell and express my deepest condolences to Mr. Walter Winkler. April 1, 2024 is a heartbreaking and unforgettable day for me. Mr. Walter Winkler passed away from me forever due to a cerebral infarction.
He is the founder of good relationship between Swiss photographers and Chinese photographers. He had been an old friend of Chinese photographers for 17 years. His unfortunate departure is a great loss for Chinese photographers.
On behalf of Chinese photographers, I express my deepest condolences to Mr. Walter Winkler with great sadness.
I haven't been able to calm down since I heard the news of Mr. Walter'sWinkler’s death. Mr. Walter Winkler had been working hard for the excellent exchanges between Chinese photographers and Swiss photographers.
Mr. Walter Winkler told me that his first visit to China was in 1997. He was a member of Swiss photographer delegation to the 24thFIAP Congress which held in Shenzhen China. After Congress he had an unforgettable trip to Yunnan with other Swiss friends. He said that the trip gave him a completely new idea on China. He would like to go to China again and know more about China.
Here's how I know Mr. Walter. It was in 2007, my mailbox got a letter. When I read the letter I was so surprise and moved by what he said. He said that he got my mailbox from Romanian friend. I was named by Walter and I was the director of the Megros Photo Gallery in Switzerland, and I could hold exhibitions for Chinese photographers there. For me, this was the best thing in the world. I immediately sent him a set of photos of the Great Wall. Soon I got the beautiful invitation card for the exhibition. I was moved to tears. From then on I took Mr. Walter Winkler as my best friend. Later I learned that Mr. Walter Winkler had taken over all job for every exhibition such as framing and hanging pictures, mailing photos and certificates back to the exhibitors. These jobs were small things but significant. Mr. Walter Winkler liked to do them and he did these jobs with great seriousness and meticulousness.
My first met with Mr. Walter Winkler was in Paris, France. Under my request, Mr. Walter Winkler came to Paris to attend the opening ceremony of „Photo Impression“ by Leo K. K.Wong , president of the Photographic Society of Hong Kong. Mr. Walter Winkler and Mr. Wong felt like old friends at first sight. Mr. Walter Winkler carefully appreciated each of Mr. Wong's photographs, highly praised Mr. Wong's beautiful works, and told Mr. Wong that he's in charge of inviting foreign photographers to the Munsingen Photo. He would recommended this exhibition to Munsingen Photo.
In May 2008, Mr. Wong’s photo exhibition was held at the Munsingen Photo. President of Munsingen Photo Rudolf Maeuslis, Mr. Walter Winkler and Mr. Daniel Brandli gave the exhibition great support. When I came to the exhibition site, I saw a lot of photographers worked for the Exhibition. These happy times are still in my mind.
In 2014 and 2016, I accompanied two groups of Chinese photographers to Munsingen Photo exhibitions. We were also welcomed and warmly received by the chairman of the Photography Festival and the photographers.
2014 Walter and Li Yaping
2016 Walter and Chinese photographers
Mr. Walter Winkler had done a lot of work for Chinese photographers to organize exhibitions in Switzerland and meanwhile he also introduced Swiss photographers exhibitions to China.
In 2009, a joint exhibition of works by eight Swiss photographers was held at the 9th Photography Festival in Pingyao, China. Eight Swiss photographers’ different styles and super skills aroused great interest and high praise from the Chinese audience. When I saw Swiss photographers wearing red vests bearing the Swiss flag walking down the streets of Pingyao, people couldn't help stopping to watch and praise them. Swiss photographers added a beautiful scene to the Pingyao Photo Festival. Mr. Walter Winkler must be very proud of being in the party at this time. The exhibition was so popular that it was moved to Lianyungang City to show as soon as the Pingyao Photography Festival ended. Mr. Walter Winkler was very pleased when he heard about it.
Walter’s pictures in Pingyao
Mr. Walter Winkler had been to China many times.
In 2007, he was invited to give a lecture at Huaguang Institute of Photography in Fujian, China
In 2012, Mr. Walter Winkler served as a jury member of China's Qinghai International Photography Festival.
Mr. Walter Winkler in Qinghai
On his way back to Beijing from Qinghai, Mr. Walter Winkler was invited to attend the annual grand Nadam Fair in Dongwuqi, Inner Mongolia. He saw the joy of the happy herdsmen celebrating the harvest, and also saw the beautiful grassland scenery. He made all kinds of cute poses like a child for us to take pictures of him.
Mr. Walter Winkler in Inner Mongolia
What I never expected was the outbreak of COVID-19 at the end of 2019, when the world's clocks stopped and planes were grounded. After six years, we finally saw the dawn of being able to meet our Swiss friends. We learn that the Munsingen Photo will be held in the coming May. It givesus a good opportunity of going to visit our old friends there. We start to apply visas, buy air tickets. Everything is ready but Mr. Walter Winkler said good bye to us. How sad we are！
Take this opportunity I would like to express my condolences to Mr. Walter Winkler’s relatives. We will never forget what Mr. Walter Winkler did. Rest in peace, Mr. Walter Winkler!
Sun Yancong