CHINA / National

Show tells 2 million years of history
By Zhu Linyong and Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-23 06:25

It's where civilization's very first tools from Africa, crafted nearly 2 million years ago, can be found along with contemporary art from all around the world. Zhao Caixia, a real estate company clerk, had a memorable time on Saturday at the Capital Museum in western Beijing.


Statues of ancient Greek gods are on display at the show. [newsphoto]

"One of the first, lucky visitors to British Museum's 'Treasures of the World's Cultures' exhibition, I was thrilled to have the rare chance to listen to the wonderful lectures given by directors of the two museums," she recalled.

"I may pay a second visit to the Capital Museum for a careful look at the precious exhibits since, for the time being, I find no time to travel afar to cities like London, Paris and New York to satisfy my curiosity for prestigious art museums."

British Museum's touring "Treasures of the World's Cultures" exhibition opened on March 18 at a 1,400-square-metre hall in the newly-built Capital Museum. It will run through June 5.

Co-sponsored by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Hong Kong-based Standard Chartered Bank, the exhibition is "the first fruit of a cultural exchange programme between the two museums, which was settled in September 2005 when Wang Qishan, mayor of Beijing, was visiting London," Guo Xiaoling, director of the Capital Museum, told China Daily.

And it is the first time that the world's oldest national public museum is showcasing part of its collections in Beijing.

"We trust that the Chinese public will enjoy the chance to explore this selection of world cultures. And we hope that it will mark a further step to be followed by many more in the friendly collaboration between our two cities and our two countries," said Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, during last weekend's opening ceremony.

Early in 1999, the British Museum participated for the first time in a small exhibition in East China's metropolis of Shanghai.

But the ongoing exhibition in Beijing is the largest and most comprehensive ever held in China by the British Museum, said MacGregor.

"Over the past few months, we have put all our heart into the preparations for this grand exhibition," said Guo.

"Most Chinese have only gained a vague idea of world art through texts and photo albums. This time, I believe they will have an intimate encounter with world art with their own eyes."

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