Xinhua News Agency, San Diego, October 4th Newsletter | "Made in China" handicrafts "renewed" in Chile

Xinhua Agency reporter Zhu Yubo

Feather fans painted with flowers, beautifully decorated lacquerware tea sets, and dough sculpture scenes of The West Chamber... On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Chile, hundreds of "Made in China" handicrafts recently appeared at Gabriela Mistral Center in Santiago, Chile, attracting many local people to watch.

These handicrafts on display are from the 1950s. In 1953, the first government delegation of New China to visit South America came to Chile, attended the first American Continental Cultural Conference in Santiago, and then presented a batch of ingenious handicrafts to the American Folk Museum. There are follow-up exchanges between the two sides, plus donations. At present, more than 500 of the museum's total collection of about 8,000 pieces are from China.

In 1970, these crafts were exhibited at the Chinese art exhibition in Chile, and today, after research and restoration at the American Folk Museum, the new crafts are once again met with the people of Chile.

On the 2nd, the "Made in China" artisanal exhibition opened at the Gavrilla Mistral Center. The exhibition curator of the American Folk Museum, Paulina Fava, said at the opening ceremony: "We live in a world dominated by planned abolition, fast consumption culture, everything seems to be designed to disappear, but in front of the eyes these exhibitions have crossed the ocean, sometimes easily, and have survived the test of time."

Reporters at the scene saw that visitors were sinking in front of the exhibition cabinet carefully, while discussing the interesting details of the exhibition with colleagues, showing a strong interest. There are several interactive devices in the exhibition hall, one of which is a blank long cloth with only the drawings, the audience can choose the thread of the instrument and experience the traditional Chinese carving techniques.

37-year-old visitor Maria Hussus Brown told reporters, ¡°The Chinese porcelain with amazing details and high-technology¡± impressed her, ¡°This exhibition brings once very distant exotic culture close to the footsteps, making me want to explore the origins of China¡¯s millennial history and tradition.¡±

The head of Tibet at the American Folk Museum, Tula Cavrera, told reporters that holding the "Made in China" artisanal exhibition meant to combine real Chinese collections with the Chinese imagination of locals, hoping to spark an interesting discussion about "what is real China".

According to China's ambassador to Chile, Booshing, the exhibits are not only a gift of art, but also a witness to the friendly exchanges between the people of the two countries, an important bridge that connects the cultures and emotions of the two countries, with special and important political and historical significance.

The "Made in China" crafts exhibition is hosted by the American Folk Museum, the Gabriela Mistral Center, and the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile, with the support of the China Embassy in Chile, and will last until March 26, 2026.