Can you imagine 503 priceless artifacts traveling thousands of miles on their own from Italy to China, solely to share a 500-year story with audiences from the East?
In 2019, China and Italy agreed to hold a Year of Cultural and Tourism Exchange in 2020, with the aim of organizing exhibitions that reflect the cultural ties between the two nations. However, the pandemic delayed these plans, and it wasn’t until two years later that they finally came to fruition.
On July 10, 2022, the “Origin of Italy: Ancient Roman Civilization Exhibition” opened at the National Museum of China after overcoming numerous challenges. This marked the first international exhibition held by the museum in Beijing since the pandemic.
President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony, noting that China and Italy are outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations. He expressed hope that this exhibition would showcase the rich heritage of Italian culture through its vibrant artifacts and serve as a catalyst for cultural exchange, strengthening ties between the two nations.
The exhibition featured an impressive collection of 503 precious items from 26 national-level museums across Italy, many of which had never left the country before. This included fragile pieces like glass and bronze artifacts, some dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Remarkably, these artifacts made the journey without any Italian personnel accompanying them. Upon arrival in Beijing, staff at the National Museum meticulously unpacked, documented, and arranged the items, sharing the entire process with their Italian counterparts via live video.
One of the main concerns was the collection of bronze fragments. Unlike China’s sturdy ancient bronze vessels, Roman bronze items were often practical, used for things like soldiers’ belts and armor, making them more delicate over time. Some had deteriorated to a state of being mere fragments.
When the museum’s staff opened the crate and discovered that one of the exquisite spiraled-handled wine vessels had broken during transport, they felt a deep sense of regret. The Italian team, witnessing this through the video feed, also felt upset about the artifact potentially missing the opportunity to be seen by Chinese audiences.
After discussions, both parties agreed that the National Museum would repair the broken vessel. The Italian colleagues expressed great trust in the museum’s restoration capabilities, and ultimately, the repaired wine vessel was successfully exhibited as planned.
This event underscores the enduring friendship between two great civilizations, which dates back to ancient times. Historical texts like “The Book of the Later Han” described the Roman Empire and noted similarities between the two cultures. Marco Polo’s accounts further fueled Italian interest in exploring the ancient civilization of China.
The “Origin of Italy: Ancient Roman Civilization Exhibition” was not merely about showcasing artifacts; it was thoughtfully curated to tell a concise yet impactful narrative about the ties between Italy and Roman civilization.
Exhibiting items from the period covering the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD, the exhibition conveyed profound insights into the significance of this era in shaping modern Italy’s territory and culture, promoting themes of peace, unity, and development.
According to Pan Qing, the exhibition curator and Director of International and Art Exhibitions at the National Museum, the “Origin of Italy” exhibition represents a gift from one country to another, rather than just an inter-museum exchange.
The successful display of Italian artifacts in China exemplifies the longstanding friendship and mutual trust between the two nations. The collaborative effort to restore the damaged wine vessel became a symbol of cultural camaraderie, adding a beautiful chapter to the story of cross-cultural heritage exchange.
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