China’s intangible cultural heritage exhibition launched

LAHORE:China’s two-day “intangible cultural heritage exhibition” was launched here that was attended by a large number of art-lovers at Art Gallery, Alhamra Arts Council.

According to Chinese diplomats, it is a first of its kind exhibition organised by the Chinese Consulate, Lahore and its theme is “Chinese Culture & Traditional Craftsmanship.” Pieces of Chinese craftsmanship that are showcased include Chasing Cloud Bow, colour-printed floral cloth, Weifang Leading Kite, Weifang Kite (Fish and Eagle), Black Pottery Pen Container, Jiaxiang wood carving pen holder, Stone Carving Kylin, Zhangqiu Black Pottery vase, Traditional Wood Carving and Combs, Woodcarving Confucius, Taishan Clay Sculpture, Straw Vase, Houshi Shhuo Face Painting, Lu Ban Lock, Boshan Ship Colored Glaze, Dongchang Calabash Carving, Lu Celadon, Yantai Qixia Paper Cutting, Yantai, Qixia Paper-cut ornaments, Dongming grain painting, eangiabu New Year Wood-block, High-Density Mud Called Tiger, Mud Tiger Extension Products, Raindrop glazed tea set, Cloth Tiger, Straw Furniture, Long narrow table, Oiled Paper umbrella, The Carpet, The Blue Print Canvas, The lantern, Chinese knot, Folding fan, Dry flower decoration, Chinese Style Floor lamp, Confucius Wang Xizhi Calligraphy, Hanfu hangers, Guqin, Empty Color harp, Black pottery censer, incense, The analects, Mencius and Lujin Table and Bogu frame.

On the occasion, Chinese Consul General Lahore, Zhao Shiren said “the exhibition is a head-start to engender deeper cultural harmony among people of Pakistan and China because more we are integrated knowing each other’s heritage, craftsmanship, culture as well as intangible intellectual wealth, more we will be doing better in lockstep”. In order to consolidate such cultural bond between Pakistan and China, consulate will continue to hold such thematic exhibitions with more improved versions in the days to come, he added. “Exhibition is a heart-felt effort to offer a peep-hole window allowing people of Lahore about essence of Chinese intangible heritage spanning over thousands of years that consists of non-physical intellectual wealth relating to beliefs, traditions, customs,” he said. “Fourteen centuries ago, China and Pakistan (then the sub-Continent) were linked up through the ancient Silk Road. Xuan Zang, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, was the first Chinese visiting Lahore in 630 AD. Dhamarajika Stupa & Monastery, Taxila, where he stayed preaching for two years, still has the relics and remains there. A thousand years later, China and Pakistan have become all-weather strategic partners, demonstrating a deeply-rooted history and an iron-clad friendship. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and especially the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, our two countries support each other and forge ahead, having achieved fruitful results in investment and trade cooperation, strengthened cultural exchanges and promoted brotherly bonds,” he explained. Next year, he said, will mark the China-Pakistan Year of Tourism and Exchanges, and China is scheduled to host the Gandhara Art Exhibition in Beijing. “I wish this small exhibition will make a good start for the China-Pakistan Year of Tourism and Exchanges, and make our peoples’ hearts beat together,” he mentioned. “Lahore, known as a city of rich culture and heritage in Pakistan, also enjoys the fame of the City of the Art, in addition to the City of Gardens. It is a charming city with a long history and profound cultural heritage. As the former capital of the Mughal Dynasty, Lahore is also acclaimed as the “Heart and Soul of Pakistan”. Since I took office in May, I have visited many historical sites such as the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Garden and the Lahore Museum. Half a month ago, the Chinese diplomats were also invited to attend the International Islamic Art Festival 2022 at this same venue. These events enabled us to appreciate more the richness and diversity of the Pakistani culture, and by doing this exhibition, we want to reciprocate, to facilitate the local people to appreciate the Chinese culture, in further cementing cultural interaction and the people-to-people exchanges,” he added.

“Cultures are diversified, and civilisations are different. But they are, by nature, not for conflicts, nor are they confrontational. The ultimate goal for cultures and civilizations is for dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, harmony, and shared growth. Diversity spurs interaction among civilizations, which in turn promotes mutual learning and mutual understanding. I hope this exhibition will rightly serve the purpose in consolidating our traditional friendship, and further enhancing the bilateral cooperation and partnership,” he expressed.

He thanked Pakistan (China) Shandong Chamber of Commerce and Alhamra Arts Council for their contribution. Mian Khurshid Kasuri, Muhammad Mehdi, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman, Yasir Habib Khan, senior journalists and present and former office-bearers of China Overseas Association, among others, participated in the exhibition.