"Endless Mountains: My Story with the Silk Road" – An international art exchange exhibition opens

The 8th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo opened in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, on Sept. 21, 2025. A highlight of this year's event was the international art exchange exhibition titled "Endless Mountains: My Story with the Silk Road," which featured works by over 20 artists from more than 10 countries.

The 8th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Culture Expo opens in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, on Sept. 21, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

Behind the exhibition lies the 2025 "Silk Road: Artists' Rendezvous," a cultural journey that explores civilizations through artistic exploration, bridging ancient and modern times.

Group photo of the 2025 "Silk Road: Artists' Rendezvous" cultural exchange program. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

On Aug. 10, 2025, foreign artists from 11 countries, namely Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Canada, Argentina, Russia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Botswana, along with nine Chinese artists, gathered by the Yellow River to embark on a nine-day cultural exploration along the Silk Road.

They experienced the colorful natural and cultural landscapes of Gansu Province and deeply appreciated the millennia-old Silk Road civilization.

Italian artist Matteo Montani (left), Romanian artist Andrea Nagy (second from left), and Chinese artist Wu Qiong (second from right) try on traditional Chinese clothing. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

The 2025 "Silk Road: Artists' Rendezvous" event began at the banks of the Yellow River in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, and traversed Linxia, Xiahe, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan before reaching Dunhuang, culminating in an artistic creation in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The artists blended the Hexi Corridor's history with Hangzhou's modernity, creating multidimensional art that transcends boundaries.

Italian artist Matteo Montani and Chinese artist Chen Mingkun co-create on the banks of the Yellow River. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

Canadian artist Michelle Reid works in a studio at the China Academy of Art. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

On Sept. 20, the opening ceremony of the "Endless Mountains: My Story with the Silk Road" exhibition was held. Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the international exchange and cooperation department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, announced the opening of the exhibition.

Photo shows the opening ceremony of the "Endless Mountains: My Story with the Silk Road" exhibition. (Photo provided by China Academy of Art)

At the exhibition site, Chinese and international artists presented the Silk Road civilization with diverse perspectives and deep feelings.

The exhibition hall exhibits works by Bulgarian artist Maria Nalbantova and Chinese artists Zhao Jun, Jiang Yi, and Zhao Mingqiang. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

The exhibition hall exhibits works by Russian artist Anna Donchenko and Chinese artists Si Wenzhou and Fan Yangzi. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

The exhibition hall features various works by artists Matteo Montani from Italy, Andrea Nagy from Romania, Michelle Reid from Canada, Kalama Akulez Henri from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chen Mingkun from China. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

Exhibition hall showcases the works of Hungarian artist Istvan Eros and Argentine artist Anahi Caceres. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

Guests view the works of Mongolian artist Baatarzorig Batjargal and Chinese artists Chen Liu and Gao Shubiao. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

Xia Shangzhou, curator of the exhibition and deputy director of the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art, stated that the exhibition brings together nearly 50 masterpieces from over 20 artists across 12 countries. The diverse works span oil paintings, traditional Chinese paintings, installations, and video art, blending cultural landscapes with ecological beauty while linking personal insights to a profound history.

Photo shows exhibition curator Xia Shangzhou, deputy director of the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

"I'm thrilled to have been part of this entire journey," exclaimed Bangladeshi artist Mong Mong Sho, visibly moved by the Dunhuang cultural expo. "The time we shared was truly unforgettable. Though we speak different languages, we found unity in our shared pursuit of beauty, peace, and a better future. This exchange has given me two of the greatest gifts: creative inspiration and lasting friendship."

Photo shows Bangladeshi artist Mong Mong Sho in front of his painting. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

"As residents who have lived by the Mogao Grottoes for years, we feel a deep sense of pride seeing artists from around the world cherish and recreate the culture of our hometown," said retired teachers Li Yuqin and Wang Hua.

Li Yuqin and Wang Hua, retired teachers from a local middle school, view the paintings by artist Totang Motoloki from Botswana. (People's Daily Online/Nika Yan)

The "Silk Road: Artists' Rendezvous", as a brand activity of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has invited hundreds of outstanding artists from nearly 100 countries to visit China for creative pursuits since 2009.