On Aug 22, the Anshan Cuijin: An Exhibition of Chinese Life Aesthetics opened at the China Cultural Center in Bern, Switzerland. Co-hosted by Prince Kung's Palace Museum and the center, the event celebrates the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, aiming to deepen mutual friendship and foster cultural exchange and innovation between the two nations.
As the second leg of its overseas tour, the exhibition continues to explore the core theme of "Traditional Culture, Contemporary Expression" first presented in Riga, Latvia, in 2024, captivating visitors with immersive settings inspired by classical courtyards of wooden architecture and literati's studies.
Among the four distinctive living spaces: Huanhua Jing (Flower-Bathing Realm) and Qu Yuan (Garden of Delight) showcase the spatial aesthetics within Chinese courtyards by realizing the harmony of movement and stillness; Xueji Tang (Hall of After-Snow Clearing) and Huaxiang Zhai (Studio of Flower View ) evoke the refined differences between studies for men and women literati.
Drawing on the cultural heritage and historical elements of Prince Kung's Palace, the exhibition features contemporary design works and innovative cultural creations. By harmonizing environment and display, it offers visitors a unique visual experience where tradition and modernity converge.
This exhibition not only demonstrates the inheritance and development of China's outstanding traditional culture, but also its creative transformation in dialogue with contemporary society.
Ambassador Qian Minjian of China to Switzerland, Chen Xiaowen, deputy director of Prince Kung's Palace Museum, and Cui Ke, cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and director of the China Cultural Center in Bern, attended the opening ceremony. More than 100 personages from the cultural and art circles, including Carli Beeli, president of the China Switzerland Connection, and overseas Chinese in Switzerland joined the event.
Qian Minjian, ambassador of China to Switzerland
Chen Xiaowen, deputy director of Prince Kung's Palace Museum
Cui Ke, cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and director of the China Cultural Center in Bern