分类： culture

A landmark piece of early modern scientific craftsmanship is set to hit the auction block next week at Sotheby’s London, offering collectors and cultural institutions a once-in-a-generation chance to own a historically significant 17th-century brass astrolabe with deep royal Indian roots.

Described by auction house specialists as potentially the largest intact astrolabe surviving anywhere in the world, this hand-held astronomical device — often dubbed the “smartphone of the pre-modern era” — has never been displayed publicly before, after spending decades in a private collection.

The astrolabe traces its origins back to early 17th-century Lahore, which was then the preeminent center of astrolabe manufacturing in the Mughal Empire. It was crafted collaboratively by Qa’im Muhammad and Muhammad Muqim, two master artisans from the legendary Lahore School of instrument making, where the closely guarded craft of precision instrument building was passed down through family lines. Only two joint works by the brother artisans are known to exist today; the second, a far smaller example, is held in a museum collection in Iraq.

The massive instrument was commissioned by Aqa Afzal, a Mughal nobleman of Iranian descent who held senior administrative posts under emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan and oversaw governance of Lahore. Its extraordinary scale and ornate craftsmanship were intentionally designed to reflect the high status of its patron. Weighing 8.2 kilograms, measuring 30 centimeters in diameter, and standing 46 centimeters tall, the astrolabe is nearly four times the size of a typical 17th-century Indian astrolabe.

Beyond its size, the piece carries notable cross-cultural significance. Star markers on the device feature traditional Persian names paired with Sanskrit translations etched in Devanagari script, reflecting the multicultural intellectual landscape of Mughal South Asia. It also bears inscribed coordinates for 94 global cities, 38 individually detailed star pointers connected by intricate floral filigree, five precision-calibrated plates, and degree divisions subdivided to one-third of a degree — a level of technical precision unmatched by many earlier astrolabes from the Middle East, which prioritized function over artistic refinement.

Historically, astrolabes functioned as versatile multi-purpose astronomical tools. First invented in ancient Greece in the 2nd century BCE, the design spread to the Islamic world by the 8th century, before spreading further across South Asia. These layered metallic devices allowed users to map stellar positions, calculate the direction of Mecca, track the movement of celestial bodies, tell time, measure the height of structures or depth of wells, and even calculate calendar dates for astrology. Dr. Federica Gigante, a researcher at the Oxford Centre for History of Science, Medicine and Technology, compares the astrolabe’s versatility to that of a modern smartphone, noting its ability to serve dozens of practical and intellectual functions.

Gigante added that the Lahore astrolabe’s accuracy is extraordinary, capable of delivering precise measurements of celestial body altitudes that rival only the finest surviving historical instruments, including one built for Persian ruler Abbas II.

After its creation, the astrolabe entered the royal collection of Jaipur’s Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II in western India. Following the maharaja’s death, it passed to his wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi — one of the most iconic public figures of 20th-century India — before being transferred to a private collection during her lifetime.

Sotheby’s specialists say the astrolabe’s pristine condition, unbroken royal provenance, and one-of-a-kind scale and craftsmanship are expected to draw intense bidding interest from both global institutional collections and private collectors. The piece is valued at an estimated £1.5 million to £2.5 million, which would shatter the existing auction record for an astrolabe. The current record, set in 2014, was a much smaller Ottoman astrolabe made for Sultan Bayezid II, which sold for just under £1 million.

Leading up to the 29 April auction, the astrolabe will be on public display for the first time in Sotheby’s London galleries from 24 to 29 April, giving visitors a rare chance to view a masterpiece of Mughal scientific art that has been hidden from public view for centuries.

Between April 21 and 22, a cohort of leading sinologists from North America, Europe and Latin America — including Canada, Italy and Mexico — embarked on a immersive cultural journey through Yixing, a scenic county-level city administered by Wuxi in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, to walk in the footsteps of one of China’s most celebrated literary giants, Su Dongpo.

Better known by his courtesy name Su Dongpo, Su Shi (1037–1101) was a towering Song Dynasty poet, calligrapher, and statesman whose works remain a cornerstone of classical Chinese literature centuries after his lifetime. For Su, Yixing held a deeply personal significance: the city has long been hailed as the great writer’s “second hometown,” where he spent extended periods of time, drew profound creative inspiration from its misty mountains and winding waterways, and composed dozens of enduring poems that reflect his love for the region’s natural beauty and tranquil lifestyle.

During their two-day visit, the international scholars engaged in a full schedule of cultural and academic activities: they joined in-depth literary exchanges centered on Su Dongpo’s legacy in Yixing, meandered through the sprawling, emerald Yixing Bamboo Sea that once stirred Su’s poetic imagination, explored the otherworldly geological formations of the famous Shanjuan Cave, and even gathered to recite some of the master’s most beloved classic poems firsthand. The trip offered these global experts on Chinese culture a rare, on-the-ground opportunity to connect with the historical settings that shaped one of China’s most iconic literary figures, deepening their understanding of Su Dongpo’s life, work, and enduring influence on Chinese cultural identity.

Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical friction between the world’s two largest economies, cultural and museum institutions on both sides are quietly working to sustain open lines of communication, building tangible connections that deepen mutual understanding between the Chinese and American people.

The grassroots push for cross-border cultural exchange traces its origins to a deeply personal journey for Tina He, founder of the H Foundation for the Arts. As a university student, He traveled back to her ancestral hometown of Fuzhou, where a walk through the historic Three Lanes and Seven Alleys district — widely celebrated as an open-air museum of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture — left an indelible mark on her. Wandering the preserved lanes, she encountered the enduring legacies of Lin Zexu, Yan Fu, and Bing Xin, three iconic figures whose work and lives fundamentally shaped the course of modern China. That experience planted the seed for a career dedicated to sharing Chinese cultural heritage with global audiences.

In 2016, that vision became a formal institution when He established the Cultural Foundations of Zhendai He, named in honor of her great-grandfather, a prominent 20th-century Chinese poet and classical scholar. Speaking at the foundation’s 10th anniversary forum earlier this year, He emphasized that the organization’s mission extends far beyond simply establishing an administrative body. “It is not merely about creating an institution, but rather about undertaking a legacy of continuity, carrying these cultural values forward into a new era,” she explained.

Over the past decade, the foundation has pursued a two-way exchange model that benefits creative communities on both sides of the Pacific. It has supported emerging and established Chinese artists in securing exhibition opportunities at major American cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, bringing contemporary Chinese creative practice to mainstream US audiences. At the same time, it facilitates residencies and exhibitions that introduce contemporary American artists to cultural hubs in China, most notably Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province, the centuries-old historic center of Chinese porcelain production, where visiting creators can engage with local artisans and audiences.

“By building this kind of bridge, we promote cultural exchange between China and the United States,” He noted.

The critical role of museums and cultural institutions as neutral, accessible spaces for cross-cultural dialogue took center stage at a recent forum hosted by the foundation, which brought together leading scholars, museum administrators, and cultural leaders to explore how public and private cultural organizations can strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Daryle Williams, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at the University of California, Riverside, noted that American public cultural and academic institutions are constantly evolving to reflect the changing makeup of the communities they serve. “We really want to look at how the Chinese American history is,” Williams said. “Now we’re considering Asian American, Pacific Islander experiences as an integral part of our community that’s evolved over time.”

Leading curators from top American museums echoed the forum’s core theme, emphasizing that museums serve as global stewards of humanity’s shared cultural legacy, making them uniquely positioned to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Jason Sun, curator of Chinese art at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art — the most visited art museum in the world — pointed out that Chinese art has occupied a central place in the Met’s narrative of global civilization for decades. Through landmark, carefully curated exhibitions, the Met has introduced millions of American audiences to defining chapters of Chinese history and artistic development. Sun explained that these exhibitions do more than showcase the depth and richness of Chinese civilization; they also illuminate the centuries-long history of exchange and interaction between East and West, demonstrating that all civilizations have grown and evolved through mutual learning. “Through museums, one can understand a country’s culture and history, and thereby understand the country itself,” Sun said.

Similar perspectives were shared by Claire Lyons, curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Lyons noted that the Getty has maintained long-standing collaborative partnerships with Chinese cultural institutions, and her team sees enormous untapped potential for even deeper cooperative work in the coming years. The Getty’s China-focused programming has explored topics ranging from Qing Dynasty porcelain trade and export, highlighting hundreds of years of maritime and commercial exchange between China and global markets, to landmark exhibitions showcasing the ancient artistic heritage of the Mogao Caves in Gansu province. These projects do more than allow visitors to appreciate the artistic beauty of Chinese cultural treasures; they also draw attention to the painstaking work of cultural heritage preservation that sustains these sites for future generations.

For Emily Zhang, program director of the H Foundation for the Arts, the work of building these cultural connections has grown even more important in an era defined by rapid technological change. As artificial intelligence and digital tools reshape nearly every aspect of daily life, Zhang argued that human connection and cross-cultural understanding have only grown in urgency, rather than becoming less important. “In a world where technology becomes more powerful, what matters more and more is our community,” she said. “It’s not just about what we can do, but how we understand each other and how we stay connected. That is exactly what arts and culture can do.”

Every April 23, readers around the globe mark World Book Day — a celebration that carries unique, layered meaning in China, where the practice of reading has long transcended a simple pastime to become a foundational part of cultural heritage.

For countless generations of Chinese people, reading is not merely a leisure activity or a task tied to academic or professional advancement. Instead, it is a tradition rooted in the ancient wisdom of Chinese philosophers and embedded in the nation’s long-held noble ideals, woven tightly into the fabric of ordinary daily life across every region of the country. From hand-copied scrolls passed down through imperial dynasties to modern printed paperbacks and digital reading platforms accessible to millions today, this enduring tradition has nurtured generation after generation, shaping worldviews, fostering critical thinking, and strengthening cultural bonds between communities.

As the nation marks this year’s World Book Day, the occasion invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to pause and reflect on their own personal journeys with literature. Whether the memory is a childhood picture book read by a grandparent by lamplight, a worn classic novel carried through years of schooling, or a quiet 10 minutes of reading snatched from a busy workday on a commuter train, these small, intimate moments with stories connect individual experiences to thousands of years of Chinese literary and cultural tradition. In those quiet moments when the page opens, nothing matters except the story itself — a universal experience that continues to bind readers across China together today.

This year’s World Book Day observance also aligns with broader national cultural efforts centered on storytelling and cultural identity, framed as a key priority for public cultural engagement in recent special coverage from Chinese media outlets.

For many international learners of Chinese, the path to understanding the heart of Chinese culture rarely follows a straight line. For JongMay Urbonya, an American serving as an ambassador for the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, that deep connection to China was unlocked through the concise, emotion-drenched lines of classical Chinese poetry. In a recent feature shared by China Daily, Urbonya opened up about her enduring love for this ancient literary art form, explaining how even the shortest poetic verses carry layers of profound feeling and timeless allure that resonate across cultural divides. A particular favorite of Urbonya’s is Li Qingzhao, the iconic Song Dynasty poet celebrated for her subtle, intimate explorations of love, loss, and everyday life. Urbonya notes that the delicate, deeply human emotions woven into Li’s works remain just as moving today as they were nearly a thousand years ago, holding power to touch readers regardless of their nationality or cultural background. For Urbonya, classical Chinese poetry is far more than just an academic subject or a language learning tool. It acts as a bridge that transcends the boundaries of time, cultural tradition, and national borders, offering her a uniquely intimate window into the values, perspectives, and soul of China. What began as a study of language has grown into a deeply personal connection to the country and its centuries-old cultural heritage, showing how art and literature can build unexpected bonds between people across the globe.

China has officially launched its annual national reading week, kicking off the 2026 initiative during the fifth National Conference on Reading held Monday in Nanchang, the capital city of East China’s Jiangxi province.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, was in attendance at the opening event and delivered a keynote address to assembled participants.

Event attendees united in a call for amplified action to popularize reading among all segments of the Chinese public and cultivate a pervasive, society-wide culture of regular reading. Stressing that reading forms the most foundational pillar of cultural advancement, participants emphasized that nationwide reading programs must be fully leveraged to support China’s broader national strategy to build itself into a leading global culture power.

In addition to promoting public engagement with reading, attendees called for strengthened investment, development and regulatory oversight of public reading infrastructure, including libraries, community reading spaces and other public resources that make accessible reading materials available to all citizens.

Running this week from Monday through Sunday, the 2026 National Reading Week will feature a diverse lineup of community and national events designed to reignite public passion for reading, spanning book fairs, author talks, reading clubs and youth engagement programs that reach across urban and rural communities to encourage people of all ages to pick up books and build regular reading habits.

On April 18, the skies above Weifang, the coastal city in East China’s Shandong province, filled with a dazzling array of colorful, innovative kites from every corner of the globe, marking the official opening of the 43rd Weifang International Kite Festival and 2026 Weifang Kite Carnival. Hosted at the city’s iconic World Kite Park, this year’s gathering drew nearly 260 dedicated kite teams hailing from 57 distinct countries and regions, turning the local event into a true global celebration of craft, connection, and shared passion.

Long recognized internationally as the “World Capital of Kites”, Weifang carries a kite-making legacy that stretches back more than two millennia. Generations of local artisans have honed and refined this traditional craft over centuries, passing down techniques that have elevated Weifang kites to a globally celebrated art form. What began as a centuries-old cultural practice has grown into a thriving modern economic driver for the region: the city’s entire kite industry now posts more than 2 billion yuan, equivalent to roughly $29.24 million, in annual sales, with Weifang-made kites exported to more than 50 markets across the world.

Beyond economic impact, the annual International Kite Festival has emerged as a powerful bridge connecting disparate cultures. Kite enthusiasts, master craftspeople, and hobbyists from around the world travel to Weifang each year to showcase their unique designs, exchange traditional techniques, and build cross-cultural connections that transcend geographic and political divides. For participants and attendees alike, the event highlights how a shared love of a simple, timeless pastime can bring global communities closer together, cementing Weifang’s reputation as a welcoming hub for international cultural exchange.

On the occasion of International Chinese Language Day 2026, industry experts and educational leaders gathered in Tianjin for a celebratory event, where they highlighted the growing global footprint of Chinese language education and its transformative role in fostering cross-cultural connection and opening new professional opportunities for international learners.

During the event, international participants got a hands-on chance to experience China’s centuries-old intangible cultural heritage, turning the celebration into an immersive cultural exchange rather than just a ceremonial gathering. As more people around the world choose to study Chinese, the language has evolved far beyond a communication tool to become a foundational link connecting young people across China and the rest of the world, experts noted.

Zhong Yinghua, president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, emphasized that Chinese language proficiency acts as a critical key to unlocking access to an authentic, multidimensional portrait of modern China and the long-held philosophical wisdom of Eastern culture. ‘Too often, global audiences only see fragmented, one-sided narratives about China,’ Zhong explained. ‘Learning the language gives learners direct access to primary sources, local conversations and cultural contexts that allow them to build their own understanding of the country.’

He also highlighted the outsized impact of the well-known ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition series, a global program for Chinese language learners. Far more than a simple academic contest, Zhong noted, the initiative serves as a dynamic people-to-people exchange platform that places international students in immersive, real-world social environments across China. Through these on-the-ground experiences, participants gain nuanced, first-hand insight into contemporary Chinese society and culture that cannot be gained from textbooks alone.

Beyond cultural exchange, education leaders also pointed to the tangible professional benefits that Chinese language proficiency brings to international learners. As China continues to deepen economic and people-to-people ties with countries across the globe, demand for Chinese-speaking professionals has risen sharply across industries ranging from international trade and diplomacy to tourism and global education. For many young international students, adding Chinese to their skill set directly expands their career options and makes them more competitive in a globalized job market.

The Tianjin event, which brought together educators, students and cultural leaders from multiple countries, underscores the growing recognition of Chinese language education as a cornerstone of global cultural dialogue. As participation continues to grow year over year, the language is increasingly serving its role as a bridge of understanding between China and the world.

China’s northern province of Shanxi has introduced a revised set of regulatory frameworks to strengthen protections and promote sustainable development of its rich intangible cultural heritage (ICH), authorities announced Wednesday at a press conference held in the provincial capital Taiyuan.

Comprising 36 articles, the updated policy enshrines a core guiding principle: “protection first, priority on rescue, rational utilization, and continuous inheritance and development.” The new rules mandate that all county-level and higher regional governments establish dedicated cross-departmental coordination mechanisms, reinforcing systemic support for the conservation of the province’s centuries-old cultural assets.

Shanxi first pioneered ICH protection legislation in China back in 2012, emerging as one of the first provincial-level administrations to roll out specialized local regulations for the sector. However, Wang Biao, deputy director of the education, science, culture, and health working committee of the Standing Committee of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, noted that shifting economic and social landscapes have rendered the original regulatory framework outdated, unable to address the evolving demands of modern ICH preservation work. The 2026 revisions, he explained, codify the practical experience and progress accumulated across the province over the past 14 years, positioning Shanxi to develop into a vibrant, nationally recognized cultural tourism destination.

Sun Jiangang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, added that the revised rules place targeted focus on protecting ICH projects that encapsulate Shanxi’s unique cultural identity, including regional operas, traditional folk songs and dances, and local culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Zhang Zhiren, Party group member and deputy director of Shanxi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, outlined the sector-specific plans tied to the new regulations. Moving forward, the province will continue scaling up promotion of two flagship cultural tourism initiatives: the “Travel with Intangible Cultural Heritage” brand and the “Shanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Good Products” program, which brings traditional handicrafts to wider domestic and global markets.

The revised regulations were formally approved during the 27th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, and are scheduled to take legal effect starting June 1, 2026. Currently, Shanxi is home to 182 national-level representative ICH projects and 198 national-level recognized inheritors — both figures rank third among all provincial-level administrative regions in China, underscoring the province’s status as a major cradle of Chinese traditional culture.

Between April 11 and 13, 2026, one of China’s most promising emerging specialty coffee brands — Nindo Coffee, rooted in the Xizang Autonomous Region — marked its second showcasing at a major European industry event, taking center stage at the Paris Coffee Festival. The homegrown regional brand brought a one-of-a-kind experience to global attendees, pairing high-quality specialty coffee with a vivid display of the dynamic blend of time-honored tradition and cutting-edge modern energy that defines contemporary Xizang, quickly earning widespread international recognition for its unique offerings.

Tsomo, founder and lead visionary behind Nindo Coffee, shared that the brand’s core mission extends far beyond selling specialty coffee. For her team, coffee acts as a accessible, approachable cultural medium to weave authentic Tibetan heritage into global cultural conversations, all to showcase a fresh, nuanced image of Xizang as a region where ancient traditions coexist and thrive alongside modern innovation. While the Tibetan specialty coffee sector remains in its early developmental stages, Tsomo and her team have prioritized three core goals: continuous product refinement, cultivation of distinct, terroir-driven flavor profiles unique to Xizang’s high-altitude growing conditions, and sharing the authentic essence of Tibetan culture alongside the forward-thinking worldview of today’s young Tibetan generation.

By the end of the three-day industry gathering, Nindo Coffee’s Xizang-inspired specialty coffee creations had garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from hundreds of general attendees. Industry veterans and coffee professionals also offered high praise for the brand’s consistent product quality and complex, memorable flavor profiles, marking a key milestone for Tibetan specialty coffee as it gains a foothold in global markets.