Exhibition tour provides cultural insight for European audiences

From themed exhibits and intangible cultural heritage to Chinese tea culture, a series of items and activities showcasing the charm of the Grand Canal and Jiangsu province will be presented during the Jiangsu Week of Grand Canal Culture showcase in Europe.

The five-day event is part of a themed series of an encounter with Chinese culture, with its opening ceremony in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday.

The Grand Canal is a geographical landmark of Jiangsu that weaves through its history and culture. From ancient times to the present day, the waterway has witnessed the prosperity and development of Jiangsu, while also nurturing rich and diverse cultural heritage.

During the event, Jiangsu is set to reveal its rich cultural heritage and unique allure, presenting a cultural extravaganza to the audience.

Focusing on the Grand Canal, its themed exhibition will demonstrate Jiangsu's history, stunning landscapes, intangible cultural heritage and delectable cuisine. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty of the province's water culture, experiencing its profound and captivating essence.

Via digital technology, the 2,500-year history of the Grand Canal's excavation and development comes to life, allowing visitors to experience the natural scenery and bustling scenes of the canal's four seasons through scroll paintings, as if traveling through time and returning to that grand historical period. In the intangible cultural heritage section, displays of Jiangsu's heritage and cultural products, interactive teaching and live performances showcase the rich traditions of Jiangsu and vibrant scenes of the ancient Grand Canal.

Intangible cultural heritage items such as the woodblock printing technique originated in Yangzhou, Huishan clay figurines from Wuxi, purple clay from Yixing, Su embroidery and calligraphy will all be demonstrated, along with related masters and inheritors showing their techniques and conducting interactions. As well, Belgian sculptors will showcase their representative sculptures, adding a touch of Belgian artistry to the event. Meanwhile, Chinese tea artist Qian Xuejiao will demonstrate brewing Jiangsu's famous teas. Moreover, inheritors under the Menghe Medical School — Zhu Jun for the traditional Chinese medicine therapeutic massage and acupuncturist Zhou Lingyun — alongside Belgian TCM practitioners, will showcase medicinal sachets and tools, offering handson experiences with classic Chinese therapies.

The exhibition will also feature live performances by the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra and the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra, highlighting both folk and symphonic music. In addition, a long table, creatively designed with colored sand, depicts the waterways of the Grand Canal in China and the Canal du Centre in Belgium. This arrangement forms a culinary cultural landscape themed around the canals. Exhibits include food carving art, canal boat delicacies and Jiangnan wines. Interactive activities such as tea preparation in the style of Song Dynasty (960-1279), tea snacks and Chinese knife skills are also featured.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a Chinese tea cultural experience activity will be held in Croatia on Thursday to Friday. The activity will feature five crafted display zones, each offering an experience. The zone themed "melodic harmony" blends symphonic, folk music and Wuxi Opera, accentuating musical interactions between Jiangsu and Croatia.

In the zone featuring the charm of water through light and shadow art, a light-blue gradient background sets the stage, merging elements of the Chinese Grand Canal and Adriatic Sea, showcasing diverse charm by adopting AI technology.

Additionally, the zone focusing on the handicraft spirit will present live demonstrations of Yixing purple clay and Huishan clay figurines, while the "listening to Wuxi" section will showcase Wuxi's musical heritage. Also, interactive areas will offer traditional gongfu tea art demonstrations and the aroma of blended Chinese tea with Croatian beverages.

The activity will offer a culturally immersive experience, highlighting the exchange between Jiangsu and Croatia while establishing a platform for cultural cooperation that promotes mutual development, organizers said.