The closing ceremony of the 2024 Silk Road Week and the opening of a Chinese silk art exhibition were held in Paris, France, on Oct 14. 

Alain Labat, head of the Federation of Franco-Chinese Associations; Jamel Oubechou, chief of staff of Guimet Museum; and Mehrdad Shabahang, officer of UNESCO's Silk Roads Programme, attended the event.

Alain Labat, head of the Federation of Franco-Chinese Associations delivering speech

Marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the Year of Chinese Culture and Tourism in France, the 2024 Silk Road Week named France as its guest of honor. This grand finale aims to deliver an unforgettable artistic experience, according to China National Silk Museum, the organizer.

The China National Silk Museum has said to introduce a new model for international cultural exchange, featuring exhibition, academic seminar, a series of intangible cultural heritage performances, a Silk Road culture school program, and an innovative Silk Road heritage design conference.

Chinese silk art exhibition held in Paris

The series of events featured a fashion show on Silk Road cultural heritage innovation, blending elements of ancient Silk Road fashion—particularly from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)—with modern styles. The collection, co-designed by Chinese and French designers, was presented live by the Zhejiang Sci-Tech University fashion performance team at the Guimet Museum.

Fashion show on Silk Road cultural heritage innovation, blending elements of ancient Silk Road fashion

In addition to the Chinese silk art exhibition, the event included an intangible heritage demonstration of Chinese sericulture and silk weaving techniques, a Silk Road heritage fashion show, a China-France academic dialogue on museums and fashion, and a Silk Road culture school program at Istituto Marangoni. This multifaceted series of activities—from exhibitions and performances to academic discussions and heritage-inspired design—exemplifies the cultural exchange between China and France.

China-France academic dialogue on museums and fashion

Reporter: Zhong Xinyi