Floral Whisper along the Silk Road concludes in Melaka

The 2023 “Floral Whisper along the Silk Road – Cultural Journey of Maritime Silk Road” reached its grand conclusion in Melaka on October 19.

The event, which began in Indonesia and continued through Singapore, deepened cultural exchanges and connections between Guangzhou and the nations along the Maritime Silk Road.

The delegation, consisting of representatives from the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, the Nanyue King’s Mausoleum Museum, the Guangzhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and various distinguished figures, embarked on this cultural odyssey.

Notable participants included the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Malacca Museum of Art and Culture, members of the Malacca City Council, and the Deputy Curator of the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum.

Intensifying enthusiasm for Maritime Silk Road

Over nine days from October 12 to 20, the City Alliance for Maritime Silk Road Heritage Conservation and World Heritage Nomination, led by Guangzhou, traversed Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Through diverse cultural activities, the event strengthened dialogue and cooperation, intensifying enthusiasm for Maritime Silk Road nominations.

In Melaka, attendees delved into the Maritime Silk Road’s past, present, and future through an evocative video presentation. Traditional Malaysian dances and Cantonese music immersed the audience in the historical charm of these cities.

Government representatives, local scholars, and heritage officials actively participated in fruitful discussions, culminating in the signing of a “Memorandum of Intent for Cooperative Protection and Tourism Development of Maritime Silk Road Cultural Heritage.” This collaboration aims to deepen cultural tourism ties, fostering comprehensive cooperation in source markets and resource sharing.

Preserving and sharing cultural heritage

Datuk Haji Zaidi bin Attan, Acting Chairman of the Executive Council of the Malacca Museum of Art and Culture, expressed his appreciation for Guangzhou’s dedication to preserving and sharing cultural heritage.

He stated, “I highly appreciate Guangzhou’s unwavering commitment to the preservation and sharing of cultural heritage with the world. I hope this collaborative relationship can be a source of inspiration for future generations.”

During the event, both sides exchanged friendly gifts that showcased their intangible cultural heritage, further deepening cultural tourism collaboration. This collaboration will promote the convergence of the tourism and cultural industries, enabling comprehensive cooperation in areas such as tourism source markets and resource sharing.

The event took place at the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum, the world’s largest Cheng Ho-themed museum, located within Malacca’s historic city, enriching the spirit of the Maritime Silk Road.

Building on the progress made during this cultural journey, Guangzhou remains committed to promoting Maritime Silk Road culture and fostering inspiration for future generations.

The conclusion of the “Floral Whisper along the Silk Road” event in Melaka signifies an important step in strengthening cultural ties and preserving the heritage of the Maritime Silk Road, a shared legacy of nations that have shaped the history and culture of this vital trade route.