The highly anticipated exhibition, On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, is set to open in Shanghai in July, featuring 788 precious artifacts from Egypt.
This event has attracted considerable attention, with many netizens expressing their excitement, saying, "It's truly amazing to view nearly a thousand ancient Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country."
This exhibition brings to mind last year's The Legacy of the Qin and Han Dynasties, held at the Archaeological Museum of Alicante in Spain, as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Spain.
The exhibition caused a sensation in Spain. I was lucky to participate in this event, witnessing the brilliant sparks of cultural exchange between China and Spain and feeling the deep interest and mutual respect both countries hold for each other's cultures.
I had the privilege of organizing a visit to the exhibition for local Chinese students. Upon entering the museum, a documentary detailing how Chinese and Spanish experts dismantled, packed, and transported the Terracotta Warriors and other artifacts from China to Spain immediately caught everyone's attention. The audience watched in awe, marveling at the complexity and precision of the cross-border transportation of cultural treasures.
Inside the exhibition hall, the museum created an immersive display area using advanced technology in lighting, music, and even scent, allowing visitors to explore history and ignite their imaginations.
As visitors entered the final exhibition hall and laid eyes on the lifelike Terracotta Warriors, they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Many Spanish visitors traveled by train to Alicante just to see the Terracotta Warriors. They told us that posters of the exhibition were nearly everywhere on the train, and there was also a giant statue of a Terracotta Warrior by the seaport in Alicante.
These visitors not only praised the craftsmanship of the artifacts but also gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for China, vowing to explore the rich Chinese culture firsthand in the future.
Timeless connection
For many Chinese students, it was also their first time seeing the Terracotta Warriors in person. As described in our childhood textbooks, each warrior a highly exquisite artistic treasure. Upon close observation, each figure has a unique expression: some with bowed heads, deep in thought, as if strategizing to defeat the enemy; others with bright eyes and solemn faces, as if determined to fight for the unification of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC); some clenching their fists, as if waiting for the call to battle; and others gazing into the distance, as if missing their families back home. Standing close to them, one could almost feel their gentle breathing.
These precious artifacts are not just static artworks but bridges across time and space. They connect the past with the present, breaking down barriers of nationality and language, subtly eliminating misunderstandings and prejudices and reshaping attitudes and views on other cultures.
Culture is a shared treasure of humanity. Whether it's the exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts in Shanghai or the display of Qin and Han Dynasties artifacts in Alicante, these cultural exchange activities fully demonstrate the unique charm and powerful influence of culture to promote world peace and enable people to jointly address the challenges and opportunities brought by globalization so that we can achieve shared prosperity and progress of all countries.
As a Chinese student studying abroad, I strongly believe that cultural exchange is not just governmental interactions; it is a personal responsibility for each of us. We all have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for Chinese culture.
Written by Chen Simo, a 20-year-old Taiwan student at Shanghai International Studies University, who is currently participating in an exchange program at the University of Alicante in Spain.
