To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, the Macao Museum, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum, jointly organize the special exhibition “Reminiscences of the Silk Road - Exhibition of Cultural Relics of the Western Xia Dynasty”. The opening ceremony was held on 14 June, at 6:30pm, at the Macao Museum and was officiated by the Assistant of the Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Shao Bin; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Leong Wai Man; the Director of the Protection Centre for Cultural Relics of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, Ma Jianjun; the Member of the Cultural Consultative Committee, Siu Pei Tak and the Vice Chairman of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum of the People’s Republic of China, Liang Yingqin. This exhibition, part of the series of the “Art Macao” event, is held until 6 October, and is open to the general public.

“Reminiscences of the Silk Road - Exhibition of Cultural Relics of the Western Xia Dynasty”, themed on the cultural relics of Western Xia, showcases the archaeological finds of Western Xia Dynasty, allowing residents to have a better understanding of the culture and history of the dynasty. The exhibition features a fine selection of 148 pieces (sets) of relics, offering a compendious interpretation of the Western Xia civilization. Some rare items make their first appearance outside the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The Western Xia Dynasty was rich in cultural relics, including writing and printing, Buddhist scriptures and statues, gold ware, wood ware and glazed pottery in crafts, as well as eave tiles and stone architectural elements.

Through the display of cultural relics in the form of calligraphy, Buddhist pieces, crafts and architecture of Western Xia, the public can appreciate this unique and splendid civilization. The culture of Western Xia is also an important part of the Silk Road culture. This exhibition of valuable relics from Western Xia aims to allow the public to have a deeper understanding of the historical background of “The Belt and Road Initiative” and explore its significance in the modern and contemporary development .

Western Xia was founded in 1038AD, located in the east of the Hexi Corridor stretch of the Silk Road. In its heyday its territory scope across what are now the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province. It was said that the territory of the Western Xia Regime “stretches to the Yellow River in the east, arrives at the Pass of the Jade Gate in the west, connects with the Xiao Pass in the south and dominates the Gobi Desert in the north”. Over 190 years under the reigns of ten rulers, Western Xia formed a tripartite confrontation with the Northern Song and Liao in its early stage, and competed with the Southern Song and Jin later. The culture of Western Xia in full flourish faded into history. Until the 20th century, with the discovery of documents and cultural relics, the treasures and wisdom of the Western Xia people have reappeared before the world.

In order to enhance the public’s understanding of the theme of the exhibition, there are educational areas and workshops during the exhibition. The Macao Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (no admission after 5:30pm), and closes on Mondays. Free admission on Tuesdays and on the 15th of every month. Admission is free for holders of the Macao Resident Identity Card. For more information, please contact the Macao Museum through tel. no. 2835 7911 during office hours or visit the Macao Museum’s webpage at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.