The 9th Dunhuang Cultural Expo kicks off to promote multi-field exchanges among countries along the Silk Road

China News Service, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, November 3 (Reporters Ding Si and Yan Jiao) The 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Dunhuang Cultural Expo") opened in Dunhuang on the 3rd. With the theme of "strengthening cultural exchanges and promoting mutual learning among civilizations", this year's Silk Road Cultural Event will promote practical cooperation among countries co-building the "Belt and Road" in cultural heritage protection, literary and artistic exchanges, cultural tourism industry and other fields.

The Dunhuang Cultural Expo, which emerged under the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, is China's national-level international cultural event with the theme of "Belt and Road" cultural exchanges. It has been held for 8 times since 2016.

"Civilizations are never isolated islands. Different civilizations are connected with each other and have an interlinked destiny." In his speech at the opening ceremony, Wu Xiaojun, Secretary of the Gansu Provincial Party Committee, used the "Three Rabbits Sharing Ears" mural in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes as a metaphor. Three rabbits share ears and chase each other in a circle, which means that multiple civilizations echo each other and coexist in harmony. He said, "This enlightens us that only by adhering to an open and inclusive heart and adhering to exchanges and mutual learning can we play a wonderful chapter in which each has its own beauty and the beauty is shared."

This year's Dunhuang Cultural Expo has set up a theme exhibition on cultural exchanges between countries along the "Belt and Road". Coffee from Brazil, black tea from Sri Lanka, handmade carpets from Uzbekistan and other exhibits are on display, bringing together fine arts, customs and cultural tourism products from countries along the Silk Road.

Digital technology empowers cultural museum scenes and becomes a highlight of this event. New projects such as "Looking for Dunhuang" VR immersive experience and AI tongue diagnosis use creativity as a bridge to rejuvenate the ancient Silk Road culture.

"Relying on the creative economy, more and more developing countries are facing new opportunities." Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, said in Dunhuang. "Afrobeat music and Latin pop music continue to appear on global music charts, and film creators from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Indonesia are also producing more and more works with global influence. The Digital Dunhuang project is an example of this, vividly explaining how technology can help us protect and share precious human treasures."

Eight sub-forums will be held from the 3rd to the 4th, covering topics such as Dunhuang studies, cultural heritage protection and cultural tourism industry development, Central and South Asian cooperation and development, Silk Road cultural innovative expressions, international communication of Dunhuang dance, Dunhuang medicine, Chinese film aesthetics, etc., to build dialogue channels from multiple dimensions of academic discussions and industrial development, promote the consensus building of the "Belt and Road" countries, deepen cultural exchanges and academic cooperation, and jointly explore new space for cultural empowerment development.

During this period, Gansu will also hold a cultural tourism industry chain investment promotion and the promotion of high-quality tourism routes, release high-quality winter and spring tourism routes, and launch the "Agriculture, Culture, Tourism and Sports Exhibitors" integrated consumption promotion activities to activate the consumption potential of Dunhuang.