Chinese silk exhibition makes shiny debut in Israel

 Israelis got a chance to look closer at 27 exquisite silk costumes displayed at a Chinese silk exhibition named "In Praise of Silk: Fashion with Tradition in China," which tells about China's silk-related stories.

Opened in the China Cultural Center in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, the silk exhibition demonstrated the process and change of the Chinese silk costumes through three different parts, namely history, craftsmanship and Chinese elements.

Except for silk costumes brought from China National Silk Museum, which is located in east China's Zhejiang Province, Chinese calligraphy, traditional painting, paper-cuts and Chinese seals were also presented at the exhibition.

Silk is the keyword of the exhibition, which provided an opportunity to approach and experience silk embroidery techniques, said Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin at the opening ceremony.

The ancient Silk Road was a network of trade routes, and silk was certainly the most lucrative and sought-after item traded across the Eurasian continent, bringing wealth and enriching culture for the peoples and states along the routes, and sometimes helping make peace between different tribes or states, said the Chinese envoy.

Thus, this benefited the ancient civilizations like Chinese, Persians, Jews, Arabs, Indians, Greeks and Romans along this road, leaving an abundant cultural heritage of humankind, added Zhan.

This exhibition was the highlight among the activities held by the China Cultural Center since its opening last November. It is also the first time for China National Silk Museum to present its precious collections in Israel.

A printed curvy hem silk robe was an eye-catching display at the exhibition. It is a replica of an excavated object from Mawangdui Tombs of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) located in Changsha in central China's Hunan Province.

Moreover, the exhibition also presented a Chinese traditional wedding costume, which was inspired by the Chinese ancient architecture, including a phoenix-tail skirt, an A-shaped lower hem coat, and a shawl with cloud patterns on it.

Silk, which has accompanied the Chinese people for more than 5,000 years, used to be a noble luxury. In 2009, the Chinese sericulture and craftsmanship was put on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This exhibition illustrated the evolution of Chinese traditional silk costumes and the development of the weaving techniques, and the application of Chinese artistic elements on modern fashion as well, said Jin Xingsheng, director general of China's Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture.

Zhejiang Province, the birthplace of silk, is famous for making exquisite silk products.

The relationship between Zhejiang Province and Israel would be enhanced, and mutual understanding promoted through this exhibition, said Jin.

Ran Veinerman, chairman of the Israel-China Friendship Society and a former resident of China, knows well how Chinese silk was loved and admired.

"China can take pride of their silk," he said.

This silk exhibition, as well as other activities held in the China Cultural Center including lectures, classes in Chinese and Chinese cooking, was helpful for promoting the Chinese culture to the Israeli people, said Veinerman.

The exhibition was "very impressive," said Roni Klein, who has visited China many times, including Zhejiang province.

Klein joked that it's better if his wife did not come to the exhibition, as she would ask him to buy her all these beautiful dresses.