Orchid Awards guests visit Dunhuang
A group of foreign guests from the U.K., Russia, Spain, and Egypt paid a visit to Dunhuang in Gansu province from Tuesday to Thursday to trace the thousand-year-old history of the Silk Road and immerse themselves in the allure of Dunhuang's rich heritage.
The trip was part of the inaugural Orchid Awards initiative, hosted by the China Center for International Communication Development of China International Communications Group. The awards aim to facilitate cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and the rest of the world.
A group of foreign guests from the U.K., Russia, Spain, and Egypt visit Dunhuang in Gansu province from Sept. 5-7, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
The foreign guests' journey commenced at the renowned Mogao Grottoes. Recognized as China's most expansive and enriching repository of ancient artistic and cultural treasures, the caves boast 735 grottoes, over 2,000 statues, and wall murals covering 45,000 square meters.
Essam Sharaf, former prime minister of Egypt, who has visited China more than 30 times, expressed his profound admiration for Chinese culture, especially traditional music and painting. He was fascinated by the statues and murals as he toured the place, learning about their history and style from the guide. He stopped often to admire the intricate details and craftsmanship of the artworks.
A group of foreign guests from the U.K., Russia, Spain, and Egypt visit Dunhuang in Gansu province from Sept. 5-7, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Alicia Relinque, a Spanish Sinologist, translator, and professor at the Department of Philosophy and Linguistics of the University of Granada in Spain, lauded the beauty of the murals. She recalled her visit to the Mogao Grottoes 23 years ago, lamenting not having been able to fully appreciate them back then. On this visit, Relinque said she was impressed by enhanced conservation measures here and felt a deeper connection and understanding of the culture of Dunhuang due to the expert bilingual guides and access to previously restricted caves.
In addition to the Mogao Grottoes, the international delegation also visited the 6th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot, and other cultural sites before their trip to Beijing for the Orchid Awards ceremony.