A vast photographic exhibition at the China Cultural Centre is highlighting the natural beauty and the diversity of cultures, traditions and societies found along the path of the legendary Silk Road.
The road refers to an ancient network of trade routes that connected the east and west – from east Asia to Africa to Europe − and derives its name from the lucrative trade in silk carried out along its length. The passage of intrepid merchants and travellers of different nationalities resulted not only in commercial exchange but in a continuous and widespread process of cultural interaction.
Basket Weaving (Malta). Photo: Zeng Yi (China)China’s modern-day adaptation, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, is reviving and extending these routes via networks of upgraded or new railways, ports, pipelines, power grids and highways in countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. The main aim is to encourage cooperation among these countries in fields such as economy, culture and tourism while fostering friendship among nations.
The photos on display were selected from over 8,000 works by 330 photographers who took part in an international photo-graphy conference.
These are divided into eight topics ‒ ‘Our Homes’, ‘How We Travel’, ‘Our Faces, ‘How We Grow Up’, ‘Our Traditions’, ‘Our Friendship’, ‘Our Harvest’ and ‘Our Festivals’ ‒ which further illustrate and advocate the need to understand and appreciate different cultures for the well-being of mankind.
In an introduction to the exhibition, Kevin Casha, president of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography, said: “It is very significant that photography has been used to depict the message of the Silk Road… that of crossing and surmounting barriers and borders. Photography is an international language that everyone can easily understand and relate to. If cameras were to replace guns in civilisation, the world would be an infinitely better place.”
Holiday Festival (Benin, Africa). Photo: Koffi Yves Parfait (Belgium)The exhibition is hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Overseas Chinese Diplomatic Missions, offices and branches of public institutions and companies. It is presented by the network of International Culturalink Entities.
Our Silk Road – A Photo Exhibition is open at the China Culture Centre at 173, Melita Street, Valletta, from Monday to Friday between 9am and 12.30pm and from 2.30 to 5pm (except public holidays) until June 15.
Entrance is free.
A Moment of Childhood (China). Photo: Wu Yan (China)
Catching Seafood (Sri Lanka). Photo: Huang Guixiang (China)
Painting the Wall (Morocco). Photo: Cao Jubo (China)
Wedding (India). Photo: Max Mashru (India)
Yearning (Greece). Photo: Dimitrius Markoglou (Greece)