UN exhibition showcases fusion of civilizations

At a cultural exhibition in the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, musicians performed jazz music with the saxophone, cello and drums on one side, while other musicians played Chinese tunes with the guqin on another side. Guests drank black tea, white tea, Puer tea and wine, as they enjoyed the music.

The exhibition was organized by CCTV, the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, the Sino-American Friendship Association and the UN Staff Recreation Council Chinese Book Club.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said during a speech that the exhibition highlights cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

"The Chinese civilization is known for its openness, inclusiveness and dynamics. Through cultural exchanges, the Chinese civilization is constantly gaining new vitality, and at the same time, contributing to the progress and prosperity of world civilizations," Zhang told the audience.

"Diversity of civilizations is the source of exchanges and mutual learning, which then lead to common development for all."

'Champions of diversity'

Zhang quoted the words of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying diversity is a richness, not a threat. "Both China and the UN have always been champions of the diversity of civilizations. By holding this exhibition at the UN, we are showing our strong support for such diversity and the UN's work in relevant fields," he said.

John Smagula, assistant dean of Temple University's Beasley School of Law who was brewing tea for guests at the exhibition, said even though tea originated in China, it has integrated into different countries and cultures around the world.

"Tea is a symbol of unity and relaxation, transcending cultural boundaries," Smagula told China Daily.

He has been learning Chinese for more than 30 years. When he first arrived in China, he used to drink coffee. However, as time went on, he gradually embraced the tea culture.

"I had the opportunity to meet tea enthusiasts, join a tea training class, and immerse myself in the study of tea culture for four years, eventually obtaining a qualification certificate. Through this journey, I discovered that tea culture is incredibly vast and profound," Smagula said, who later created a tea club at Temple University.

Mark Rowswell, better known by his Chinese stage name Dashan, also performed at the exhibition.

Accompanied by jazz music performed by a Canadian band, he recited Li Bai's The Hard Road to Shu. While Dashan was studying the poem, he said, "Somehow, I could hear the music of John Coltrane, a great jazz saxophone player who used to perform in New York." Inspired by this connection, he decided to recite the poem alongside the jazz music.

Several UN ambassadors and officials also had the opportunity to experience the printing technology invented by Bi Sheng, the world's first movable type technology.

minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com