The Exhibition of Armenian Cultural Treasures of the 18th-20th Centuries opened on Nov 13 at the Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, leading spectators into another civilization along the ancient Silk Road in the Eurasian continent.

It is showcasing over 100 collections from the Yerevan History Museum, as well as pieces from the Guangdong Museum, unveiling the art and life of Armenia in the 18th-20th centuries through displays of traditional costumes, jewelry, silverware, handicrafts, ancient city images, and more.

Spectators snap some photos at the exhibition. [Photo by He Wentao/Yangcheng Evening News]

Guangzhou serves as the final stop for the Yerevan History Museum's recent tour in China, said Yang Ling, the exhibition's curator.

Unlike previous stops, the exhibition includes a special section titled "Pomegranate Comes from the West", presenting the rich pomegranate culture of both Armenia and China.

"The cultivation of pomegranates originated near the Persian region and was introduced to China during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) via the Silk Road," Yang noted.

Pomegranates symbolize prosperity and the continuation of life in Armenia, while in China, they mainly represent fertility and blessings, embodying beautiful meanings. "The evolution of its cultural significance in different regions reflects the spread and collision of different cultures along the Silk Road," Yang added.

Traditional clothing for Armenian women. [Photo by He Wentao/Yangcheng Evening News]

Armenia, located at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, played an intermediary role in the exchanges between the Western world and China during early AD. Interactions between Armenia and China intensified in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

From the 17th century onwards, Armenian merchants congregated in Guangdong, establishing commercial guilds along the Pearl River. They left historical imprints that affirm their deep-rooted connections with the Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until Feb 16, 2025.

A picture depicts the Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou in old times. [Photo by He Wentao/Yangcheng Evening News]