Others News
- Treasures offer unique insight into China's civilization
Date: 9-May-2007 Sources: (Xinhua Online)
Canada's major museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) based in the capital region of Gatineau-Ottawa, is opening its arms next week to some of the world's oldest and most precious artifacts dating as early as half a million years ago.
'Treasures from China,' an exhibition of 120 pieces of China's most precious artifacts, will finally be on display from May 11, after more than three years' lengthy preparation work, Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of CMC told Xinhua Friday.
The exhibition, which surveys 'the grand sweep of Chinese history from the dawn of civilization to the end of the Imperial dynasties in 1911 collecting a wide range of materials and styles,' will show Canadians China's rich and diverse cultural traditions which command the respect and pride of all humanity, Rabinovitch said in an interview with Xinhua in his office at the CMC building Friday.
The treasures, provided by the National Museum of China (NMC), include jade carvings and lacquerware; paintings and calligraphy; silk textiles; ceramics and items fashioned from bronze, gold and silver. For many of the artifacts, it is the first trip outside China due to their national and cultural significance. Among all the objects, 23 are considered to be 'premier masterpieces' by the NMC, said Rabinovitch.
One of the objects on display is a stone tool crafted by human hands half a million years ago, which will set a new record as the oldest human artifact ever shown at the CMC, he said.
'This is a rare and wonderful opportunity for a North American audience to see these treasures and to better understand China's extraordinary contribution to the world's cultural heritage,' said Rabinovitch. 'We are fortunate to be the exclusive venue for this splendid collection.'
The motivation for putting on the exhibition is to satisfy Canadians' curiosity about China, Rabinovitch said, adding most people here, though fascinated by China's long and tumultuous history, only have a limited understanding of the country.
Besides catering to visitor interest or happiness, the more important motivation for holding an exhibition is to satisfy the desire for communications and understanding between human societies, stressed Rabinovitch.
Although the artifacts are distinctly Chinese, they are also part of the common heritage of all humanity. 'We can all take pleasure in their beauty' and are proud of them, added Rabinovitch.
The display will offer visitors a deep understanding on the length of time Chinese civilization is evolving, as well as a detailed presentation of the stories and changes that happen along with this evolution, thus helping people know better about China's present and its people, he said.
It may also give answers to such frequently asked questions as 'how has Chinese culture lasted so long?' or 'What factors have contributed to its endurance and adaptation over thousands of years?' or 'how will the world interact with China both now and future?'......
Rabinovitch expects as many as 150,000 visitors, from within Canada and abroad, will come for the display which runs to October28 this year. CMC is well-prepared to provide opportunity to anybody who wants to use this exhibit as a window to China, he said.
Text beside each artifact sealed in special-made cases, audio guides which will be used for the first time in the museum's history, special interpreters who will approach visitors on their own, books for sale and public lecture series, will satisfy visitors with their desire to learn more, Rabinovitch said.
To promote Chinese people's understanding of Canadian history and as a reciprocal agreement with NMC, CMC will present an exhibition about the culture and history of Canada's First Peoplesin Beijing in 2008, Rabinovitch said
'By looking at the ancient cultures of both countries, we can better appreciate the wider human experience and place recent accomplishments into perspective,' he said.
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