Peng calls for enhancing cultural exchanges

To build bridges for dialogue among civilizations, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, has expressed her hope for enhanced cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Serbia.

Peng made the remark while visiting the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade on Wednesday morning with Tamara Vucic, wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Museums serve not only as windows for preserving and displaying cultural relics, but also as halls for promoting civilization, Peng said as they toured the museum's exhibition of paintings.

The museum boasts a long history and abundant collections, she said, noting that the classic paintings that are exhibited there feature delicate brushstrokes and rich emotions.

The two wives watched demonstrations of traditional Serbian women's hand weaving and warmly interacted with the artisans.

They also enthusiastically participated in making Serbian wool felt balls.

Peng praised the exquisite and distinctive craftsmanship of Serbian hand weaving, considering it an important intangible cultural heritage that has been well preserved and promoted.

Highlighting the similarities between Chinese and Serbian embroidery cultures, she suggested encouraging young people from both countries to mutually learn about and actively engage in preserving traditional handicrafts from generation to generation.

Established in 1844, the National Museum of Serbia houses over 400,000 artifacts, making it the largest and oldest museum in Serbia.

China Daily - Xinhua