The 2024 Silk Road Week, which concluded on October 14th in Paris, culminated in a dazzling display of Chinese cultural heritage with the opening of the “Charm of the Silk Roads: Chinese Silk Arts” exhibition at the Hôtel d’Heidelbach, Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet. This event, orchestrated by the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with the China National Silk Museum and the Nouvel Institut Franco-Chinois, served as the grand finale of a week dedicated to celebrating the historical significance of the ancient Silk Roads and the contemporary evolution of Chinese silk artistry.
The exhibition itself, a testament to the deep historical and cultural ties between China and France, aimed to demonstrate the enduring relevance of silk art and the traditional craftsmanship that has flourished along the Silk Roads for centuries. It provided a platform for cultural exchange, highlighting the continuous dialogue between Chinese and French civilizations through art and fashion. The exhibition, open for a month at the L’institut Marangoni in Paris, offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in these captivating cultural displays.
The opening ceremony drew a prestigious gathering of over 100 esteemed guests, a testament to the global significance of the event. Notable attendees included Alain Labat, Vice President of the Nouvel Institut Franco-Chinois; Corinne Thépaut-Cabasset, President of the International Committee ICOM for the museums and collections of Costume, Fashion, and Textiles; Mehrdad Shabahang, Project Officer for UNESCO’s Silk Roads Programme; Jamel Oubechou, Director of Office Department, Musée Guimet; Paolo Meroni, Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni Fashion School; and Jiao Tianlong, Vice Director of Bowers Museum (USA). Additionally, several Chinese officials were present, including Liu Hongge, Director of the Paris Chinese Cultural Center; Zhao Cheng, Head of the Information Office of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government; and Chen Guangsheng, Director of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism.
At the heart of the exhibition was the project titled “Beyond the Mulberry Fields: China Sericulture Intangible Cultural Heritages.” Visitors were treated to a captivating glimpse into China’s rich silk production heritage, with traditional Hangzhou-style embroidery presented by Jin Jiahong, a National Master of Arts and Crafts in China. Other captivating demonstrations included kesi weaving and gold printing, which captivated audiences with their intricate details and historical significance.
The exhibition was accompanied by two parallel events that further enhanced the cultural exchange between China and France: the “Sino-French Fashion Appointment” and the “Silk Road Fashion & Culture Forum.” These events served as platforms for dialogue and collaboration, showcasing the contemporary interpretations of silk artistry and its influence on modern fashion design.
The 2024 Silk Road Week events held particular significance, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. This series of exhibitions, fashion shows, and academic dialogues not only served to highlight the historical connections between the two nations but also to promote future international cooperation. The event’s overarching aim was to foster cultural understanding and to create a more influential international communication system for Chinese traditional culture.
The 2024 Silk Road Week events served as a powerful reminder of the inextricable connection between art, culture, and diplomacy. Through exhibitions like “Charm of the Silk Roads: Chinese Silk Arts” and events like the “Sino-French Fashion Appointment,” the ancient Silk Roads’ legacy was brought into the modern world, showcasing how historical artistry continues to inspire contemporary design. These events also highlighted the mutual cultural admiration between China and France, demonstrating how fashion, art, and craftsmanship can transcend borders and foster collaboration between nations.
As the event series concluded in Paris, it left behind a lasting impression of how the Silk Road continues to be a powerful symbol of cultural exchange and innovation. The shared passion for art, design, and fashion between China and France was evident, furthering the legacy of the Silk Roads in today’s global cultural landscape.