‘The Glory of Persia’ tour continues in Xinjiang
Following successful showcases in Beijing and Shanghai, Iran’s renowned exhibition, ‘The Glory of Ancient Persia’, opened in Xinjiang, China.
The exhibition, which began on December 6, features over 211 artifacts spanning more than 3,000 years of Persian history, including treasures from prominent archaeological sites across Iran.
The event, organized by Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in cooperation with the Chinese government, aims to introduce the magnificence of Persian civilization to Chinese audiences and promote tourism to Iran. The collection includes artifacts from the National Museum of Iran, the Persepolis Museum, and regional museums in Rasht and Gorgan.
The exhibition is being held at the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, also known as the Xinjiang Museum, in the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang Province. The museum is one of the largest in China, with over 40,000 artifacts on display.
Jebrael Nokandeh, Director of the National Museum of Iran, who attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition in Xinjiang, said, “211 historical artifacts and 5 recreated works of Iranian art and civilization, dating back to around 3,000 years ago to the Safavid era, are on display. The exhibition will run until March 3, 2025, to introduce the magnificence of Persian civilization to Chinese audiences and promote tourism to Iran.
He recalled that the exhibition had previously been held for three months at the Palace Museum in Beijing, the capital of China, and for four months at the Shanghai Museum, attracting many fans of Iranian culture, arts, and civilization.
Ali Darabi, Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, who traveled to China for the opening of the exhibition, met with the head of cultural heritage of Xinjiang Province.
Darabi referred to the historical relations between Iran and China, calling them “strategic and based on peace.” He noted that the Silk Road has been a symbol of peace and friendship between Iran and China throughout history.
The exhibition is a significant cultural event, marking the third stop of ‘The Glory of Ancient Persia’ in China.
The valuable historical collection of Iran was approved for temporary export by the Iranian government on December 13, 2023, based on Article 138 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The collection was initially approved for export for six months, and was displayed at the Palace Museum in Beijing. The permit was later extended for another six months, and the collection was sent to Shanghai for display. The collection is now being displayed in Xinjiang Province, and is expected to remain in China until the end of the year.
According to documents, China has insured the 211 historical artifacts from Iran for 114 million and 205 thousand euros. Most of the artifacts were borrowed from the National Museum of Iran.
Nokandeh had previously said, “In ‘The Glory of Ancient Persia’, artifacts from over 60 archaeological sites across Iran, almost the entire country, are on display. Most of these artifacts were discovered through scientific excavations and archaeological research.”