CULTURAL HARMONY THROUGH DIVERSITY

Highlights of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations

Visitors at the Asian Culture and Tourism Exhibition on May 16. The exhibition attracted participation from more than 30 Asian countries and regions to showcase their latest achievements in culture and tourism development.

A sian civilizations have played an important,rich and colorful role in the history of human development. Three of the Four Great Ancient Civilizations originated on this ancient continent.Today, Asia has been reborn young and full of vitality as Asian countries take an increasingly active role on the world stage and Asia’s influence on the development of world civilization increases.

In May 2019, Asian people embraced a gathering of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations(CDAC), held in Beijing, invited attendees from 47 Asian countries as well as participants from other countries on five continents to jointly discuss Asia’s prosperous future.

The CDAC also showcased the distinctive features and splendid achievements of Asian civilizations. A series of activities such as the Asian Culture Carnival,Asian Culture and Tourism Exhibition, Asian Cuisine Festival, Asian Civilization Parade and Asian Digital Art Exhibition were presented to highlight the customs of different countries from multiple dimensions and through a comprehensive lens.

Through exchange and mutual learning,civilizations have gained inexhaustible growth momentum and continued to flourish.

On May 16, a foreign attendee tastes a sugar painting,a traditional Chinese form of folk art, at the Chengdu Panda Asian Food Festival, which kicked off that day in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. The festival invited thousands of restaurants in Chengdu and hundreds of restaurants from other Asian countries to participate in promoting Asian cuisine to the world.

The Asian Civilization Parade kicked off on May 16. Some 28 Chinese and foreign troupes brought 11 parade performances to the audience, showcasing the distinctive cultures of Asian countries by means of songs, dances, and ethnic costumes.

On May 18, at the National Center for the Performing Arts, famous jazz singer Lisa Ono and her band present “Midnight Roses” jazz concert, part of the series activities of the Asian Culture Festival.

A dance performance at the launch ceremony of the Asian Film and TV Week (AFTW) on May 16.The AFTW, part of the CDAC, sponsored a series of activities including Masters in Conversation,2019 Asian Film Week, Film Producers’ Forum and Broadcasting of TV Programs.

The Asian Digital Art Exhibition kicked off in Beijing on May 16. Some 30 international artists reviewed and showcased their own cultural traditions through digital media. The exhibition aimed to build a platform between culture and technology and promote crossdisciplinary cultural innovation for the future.

The Asian Culture Carnival, held on May 15 based on the concept of “Heart to Heart with a Common Future,”invited approximately 750 foreign artists to perform and presented an art feast with distinctive Asian characteristics.

East—West, a sculpture by two Israeli artists, displayed at the “Shared Inspiration—Asian Art Exhibition” at the National Art Museum of China.

An Indian chef makes Roti Prata at the Asian Cuisine Festival on May 19. On May 16, the festival simultaneously kicked off in cities including Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Guangzhou.