Astana exhibition highlights Silk Road heritage, cultural exchanges

The opening ceremony of Kazakhstan's "China Tourism Year" was held on Monday at the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, the Kazakh capital, with around 300 guests from China and Kazakhstan in attendance.

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli and Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov delivered speeches at the event.

In his speech, Myrzabosynov expressed the hope that in the new era, the Silk Road — as an ancient corridor connecting the East and the West — would continue to write a glorious new chapter.

As a major highlight of the "China Tourism Year", an exhibition titled Silk and the Silk Road: From China to Kazakhstan also opened on the same day at the museum.

The exhibition, which runs through Aug 8, is divided into three sections — The Origin of Silk, The Road of Silk and The Use of Silk. It aims to showcase the historical richness and modern development of Silk Road culture, as well as the friendship and cultural exchanges between China and countries along the ancient Silk Road.

"This collection of precious cultural relics, either in terms of design motifs or in terms of weaving techniques, embodies the essence of cultural integration between the East and the West," said Zhao Fan, deputy director of China National Silk Museum's Department of Exhibition and Conservation, who curated the exhibition.

"Silk has played an irreplaceable role in facilitating dialogue between civilizations. Its significance goes beyond material trade, deeply influencing culture, science, religion, and even the course of world history. Silk is not merely a commodity — it is a 'cultural language'. The history of silk is, in many ways, a history of civilizational exchange," Zhao told China Daily.

"In an era where globalization is facing challenges, the inclusiveness and reciprocity of the silk culture continue to offer valuable insights for cross-cultural dialogue," he said.

At Monday's opening ceremony, the China National Silk Museum and the National Museum of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding the "CNSM International Gallery".

"Our partnership with Kazakhstan showcases direct collaboration between our national museums," said Zhang Chengming, deputy director of the China National Silk Museum.

"The silk art and the Silk Road culture are globally popular, and we plan to expand exchanges. Only through communication and cooperation can we deepen understanding and unlock future potential," Zhang added.

The opening ceremony also featured cultural performances, a fashion show themed on hanfu — traditional Chinese attire — and hands-on experience with intangible cultural heritage.