An international exhibition titled "Flowers of the Sea - Dialogue with World Cultures: International Handicraft Art Exhibition" has kicked off at University of Johannesburg’s Art Gallery as China and South Africa foster relations through cultural exchanges.
An opening ceremony of the exhibition was held on Friday, at a fun-filled event which was addressed by Li Zhigang, Minister in the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa, and different academics.
The exhibition, organised by the Shanghai University is open at University of Johannesburg from Saturday until January 24 next year.
On behalf of the Chinese embassy, Li said intangible cultural heritage is a treasure of human civilization, a precious form of wealth accumulated from diverse cultures over the long course of history.
“Since ancient times, painting and handicrafts have been typical communication medium between people around the world. Three thousand years ago, ancient Chinese people recorded the dynasty's history on tortoise shells and animal bones with pictographic characters, which is called oracle bone script and evolved into modern Chinese characters. Similarly, during the same period, the San people living in the Drakensberg Mountains painted hunting scenes on rock walls, indicating to their descendants where it was safe and sound,” he said.
Li highlighted that the wisdom and knowledge of human ancestors that have been passed down through text, painting, and craftsmanship over millennia.
“Ancient totems have gradually been integrated into modern decorative arts, becoming part and parcel of our contemporary life. The 'Belt and Road International Handicrafts Exhibition' brings Chinese intangible cultural heritage techniques such as fabric weaving and embroidery. By comparing ancient Chinese weaving and South African traditional fabrics, it is amazing to find similar geometric patterns designed into distinctive works,” he said.
Li recounted that in 2013, President of China, Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative.
“South Africa was the first African country to sign a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road cooperation with China. We have since worked together to open a new chapter in cultural cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. This September, President Xi Jinping, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and 52 other African leaders unanimously adopted the 'Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan', expressing their willingness to jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative, strengthen cultural exchanges, and promote mutual understanding among the people,” he said.
“Both sides agree to encourage their relevant institutions to participate in each other's activities in the fields of music, art, acting, library and cultural heritage under the various frameworks, including the Silk Road of Culture, and join such mechanisms as the Silk Road International League of Theatres.”
Li added that the two presidents have announced that China-South Africa relations have been upgraded to an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era, marking yet another leap in the strong bilateral relations.
“Under the umbrella of the China-South Africa High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, China and South Africa have continued to deepen cultural and artistic cooperation in various ways, promoting familiarity and friendship between our two peoples,” he said.
Since 2015, the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town has joined the Silk Road International Theatre Alliance, and the Durban International Film Festival has joined the “Belt and Road” Film Festival Alliance.
“There is an African proverb that says, ‘one piece of wood cannot build a house’. Strengthening China-Africa solidarity and cooperation is an inevitable choice in the tide of the times, providing solid support for each other's development and producing a positive effect where ‘one plus one is greater than two’.
“We look forward to more cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa in the future. I wish this exhibition a complete success and hope all guests enjoy the unique Chinese intangible cultural heritage,” said Li.
The year 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Using that milestone as an opportunity for dialogue with global civilizations, the Belt and Road International Handicrafts Exhibition Programme was launched.
The programme is a key initiative under Shanghai’s "Chinese Culture Going Global" initiative, organised by the Shanghai Municipal Information Office. Its aim is to encourage and support the international promotion of Chinese culture, facilitating its better integration into the global community.
The event on Friday was supported by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China’s Shanghai Municipal Committee, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Shanghai University, and the University of Johannesburg. The program was organised by the Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Public Art and the UJ Art Gallery at the University of Johannesburg.
In his speech, deputy secretary of the party committee of Shanghai University Prof. Duan Yong expressed gratitude to the South African and Chinese communities for their support of the exhibition.
He pointed out that the Belt and Road Initiative centres on peaceful cooperation and openness, with culture serving as a vital bridge connecting people from different nations.
“As a crystallisation of human wisdom, intangible cultural heritage not only carries historical significance but also showcases contemporary creativity. This exhibition promotes the spirit of the Silk Road and fosters mutual learning among civilizations by showcasing Chinese intangible cultural heritage and handicrafts,” said Duan.
He emphasised that universities have a responsibility to build platforms for the preservation and international promotion of intangible cultural heritage.
Duan also expressed hope that the exhibition would also deepen collaboration with the University of Johannesburg, creating more practical opportunities for young students, and injecting new vitality into cultural exchanges between China and South Africa.
In his speech, executive dean in the faculty of art, design and architecture at the University of Johannesburg, Prof. Federico Freschi stated that cultural heritage is not static, but vibrant and ever-evolving. He emphasised that dialogue between different cultures has the potential to spark new ideas and foster communication and exchange.
"Handicrafts have always been more than objects; they are cultural treasures, each imbued with history, tradition, and the creativity of the communities that made them. In this exhibition, we see these timeless traditions not only preserved but also transformed through collaborations with contemporary designers and artists," he said.
"This reinvention of traditional handicrafts highlights their resilience and relevance in a modern world. By integrating traditional techniques with innovative materials, forms, and aesthetics, these works push the boundaries of what handicrafts can be, offering fresh perspectives while honouring their deep cultural roots. This process of reinvigoration is a testament to the enduring power of creativity to adapt and thrive across generations and contexts.
"As South Africans, this theme resonates deeply. Our own rich cultural practices have long blended traditional knowledge with contemporary influences. Just as this exhibition showcases how Chinese and other Belt and Road nations’ artisans collaborate with modern designers, it also inspires us to imagine how our own crafts can evolve, ensuring their survival and relevance in today’s world," said Freschi.
On behalf of the organisers, Jin Jiangbo expressed gratitude to the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa, the University of Johannesburg, and the UJ Art Gallery.
The ongoing exhibition aims to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, foster cultural exchange and mutual learning with countries along the route, innovate methods for the international dissemination of Chinese culture, and deepen international collaboration in arts and culture through the display of intangible cultural heritage.
After the opening ceremony event, curator Qin Mian guided the guests on a tour of the exhibition.
The exhibition is divided into three sections: Blossoms Across the Seas, Coexistence of All Things, and Everlasting Vitality. The showcased items include traditional Chinese cultural projects such as embroidered pieces, paper-cuttings, Kesi silk, kites, New Year paintings, silver teapots, and Zisha teapots.
It also features cross-disciplinary intangible cultural heritage projects, such as yak wool from Golog in Qinghai, Shanxi cloth tiger cultural creations, and heritage-inspired canvas shoes with a modern twist.