In 618, Gaozu became the first Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. It was the start of China’s Golden Centuries - that were to last until 907 - during which trade, arts and sciences flourished as never before. The capital, Chang’An (today’s Xi’an in the province of Shaanxi) became the diplomatic, economic, and cultural centre of the Asiatic world of the time. As the starting point for the legendary Silk Road, the city attracted traders and scholars from remote countries. Famous emperors and fascinating courtesans lived at court. Renowned Chinese poets wrote unforgettable verses. Monks went to India on the track of the holy writ and contributed to the development of Buddhism.

A literary trail will illustrate the life at court with magnificent gold and silver jewels, terracotta statues representing courtiers and foreign diplomats riding horses or camels, and famous three-coloured glazed ceramics. Very special attention will be paid to the Buddhist sculptures and bronzes which illustrate the peak of Buddhist art in China.

Curators LIU Yunhui [Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau] , CHEN Xianqi [Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center], WU Haiyun [Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center], Annemie Bonneux [Professor Chinese, Associatie Antwerpen]

19.12.2009 > 14.03.2010

Provinciehuis Antwerpen

Koningin Elisabethlei 22 B-2000 Antwerpen

Tue > Sun 10:00 > 17:00

closed: 25.12.2009, 01.01.2010

www.tangexpo.be T. 03 240 64 11 – 03 240 66 30

adults: 8 € groups, seniors, jobseekers, less valids, students, young people: 5 €

guided tours (max 20 people) T 03 203 95 85 70 €

catalogue: NL : 25 €

Organisation: Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, Provincie Antwerpen

Source: http://www.europalia.eu

Editor: Wen Yi