Art scholars and museum experts participate in the third annual dialogue of the  China-Europe-America Museums Cooperation Initiative cohosted by the China-Europe-America  Global Initiative and the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) on May 18-19 (ACCWS) 

Humans have a long history of preserving artifacts of the past. The ancient Greeks coined the term "mouseion" when they first built a temple in honor of "the Muses," goddesses who watched over the arts and sciences. The Greeks filled their temples with both sculptures and scholars. Subsequently, this tradition was emulated in regal treasure houses, where the spoils of war found their place in the grand halls of palaces and the enclosures of royal menageries.

Some of the oldest public museums in the world opened in Italy during the Renaissance, generally believed to have begun in the country during the 14th century. Tracing its origins all the way back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV (1414-84) donated a group of magnificent ancient bronze sculptures to the people of Rome, the Capitoline Museums house the oldest public collection of art in the world.

Opening to the public in 1734 under Pope Clement XII (1652-1740), the museums are considered the world's first "real" museum, understood as a place where art can be enjoyed by all and not only by the owners.

"Museums have been a sanctuary for preserving human civilization and a place for cultural exchange," Gao Anming, Vice President and Editor in Chief of China International Communications Group, said at a webinar on May 18 as he underscored the advantage of museums in strengthening intercultural ties.

The occasion marked the third consecutive annual dialogue of the China-Europe-America Museums Cooperation Initiative. This program focuses on positioning museums as cultural intermediaries, facilitating people-to-people exchanges.

Esteemed arts scholars and museum experts from various countries participated in the online conference, delving into the pivotal role that museums assume in promoting cultural communication and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation between civilizations.

Capturing complexity

In 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) designated May 18 as International Museum Day, driven by a belief in the transformative power of museums. The primary objective of the event is to raise awareness about the role museums play in cultural exchange, the enrichment of societies and the promotion of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people worldwide.

Since its official establishment through a resolution at the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow, Russia, museums worldwide have been actively organizing events and activities to celebrate the day. According to the ICOM website, last year over 37,000 museums from approximately 158 countries participated in this global event, showcasing the initiative's immense global reach and impact.

Lina Mendoni, Greece's current Minister of Culture and Sports, noted at the webinar that the dialogue coincides with the International Museum Day, adding that museums "can contribute to social cohesion while being powerful tools for creativity and innovation."

"A museum offers solid proof that equal communication among different civilizations is a promising endeavor and that we can replace clashes with mutual learning," Gao said. He further called for cooperation among global museum professionals in launching exhibitions, promoting liberal arts education and applying related technological advancements.

Irina Bokova, former UNESCO Director General, echoed Gao's opinions when sharing her understanding of museums. She considered the concept of a museum to be "a cutting-edge laboratory of a shared humanity that protects human heritage, catalyzes new creativity, helps find words and images to capture the complexity of the world and understand one another."

"I firmly believe in the power of museums as forces to rejuvenate urban policies, to deepen social inclusion, to create jobs, to foster a sense of belonging, to make the most of cultural heritage for all and to contribute to a mutual understanding in a complex world," Bokova added.

Reputed Italian archaeologist Louis Godart pointed out a more fundamental aspect linked to the mission of today's museums­­—the ability to open the minds and hearts of people to a universal conscience. "A museum teaches people that the search for beauty, the passion for history and the concern to safeguard the testimonies of the past are values anchored in the soul of every human being," Godart stated, adding, "In its own way, the museum is a formidable instrument at the service of peace."

Photo taken on May 18 shows Fujian Museum in Fuzhou, Fujian Provinceon China’s southeastern coast. It is the country’s main venue for this year’s World Museum Day, which falls on May 18--themed“Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing” this year (XINHUA) 

Repatriating relics

In recent years, Chinese museums have engaged in collaborative efforts with their overseas counterparts to curate exhibitions of exquisite cultural relics from around the globe, allowing visitors to closely observe remarkable artifacts and gain deeper insights into the civilizations that produced them.

One example here was the Chinese culture exhibition that commenced on April 27 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in the French capital of Paris. Spanning 12 days, the event provided audiences with a multi-dimensional and comprehensive portrayal of China through immersive experiences featuring traditional Chinese literature, art performances and captivating handicrafts.

Similar cultural exchange events have been held consistently over the years. For instance, Beijing's Summer Palace Museum and London's Victoria and Albert Museum cohosted a virtual and in-person exhibition in June 2022, showcasing artworks from both countries from the 16th to the 20th century.

China's museum industry has experienced rapid growth since 2012, marked by notable advancements in facility construction and the expansion of cultural relic collections.

China is also doubling down on cooperation with others in the field of cultural heritage protection. "Repatriation can serve as a bridge between cultures and, moreover, an opportunity to right past wrongs," Deborah Lehr, Chair and founder of the Antiquities Coalition, said in her webinar address.

In early May, the United States returned two stolen cultural artifacts, with a collective value of over $3.5 million, to China, marking the latest batch of looted treasures traveling from the U.S. back to their countries of origin. The two seventh-century stone carvings from a funerary platform were believed to have been ripped from a tomb by raiders in the 1990s, before being smuggled to the U.S. where they ended up at New York City's renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art. Weighing more than 450 kilograms each, these relics date back to the seventh century.

The relics were found following a criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office into antiquities purchased by American investor and art collector Shelby White, resulting in the seizure of 89 antiquities from 10 different countries.

At a handover ceremony in New York City, Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping highlighted that returning the valuable artifacts exemplified the close cooperation between China and the U.S. in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Estimates hold that roughly 1.6 million cultural relics from China are scattered across 47 countries, with millions more in private collections. Tomb raiding and illegal trafficking of antiques began to boom in the 1980s in China, especially in the countryside.

From August 2020 to September 2022, Chinese authorities arrested 8,420 suspects involved in 3,950 criminal cases of stolen cultural relics. This nationwide crackdown on the unlawful excavation of ancient cultural sites led to the recovery of 82,800 artifacts, with nearly 6,500 among them classified as national treasures, Xinhua News Agency reported last year. Since 2015, the U.S. has returned 404 sets of cultural relics and artworks, as well as one paleontological fossil, to China in five operations.

(Print Edition Title: Minds in Motion)

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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