The First South American Finale of the 2025 Silk Road Week Held in Brazil

The 2025 Silk Road Week, a significant global celebration of cultural exchange inspired by the ancient Silk Roads, recently reached its grand conclusion in Brazil. This inaugural finale in South America was marked by a series of engaging events held in São Paulo and Foz do Iguaçu, illuminating the cultural connections between China and Brazil.

In São Paulo, festivities centered around an exhibition named “Silk Connecting Mountains and Seas”, which showcased various Chinese silk traditions. A notable aspect of this exhibition was the demonstration titled “Beyond the Mulberry Fields: China’s Sericulture Intangible Cultural Heritage”, showcasing traditional practices and art forms. Additionally, a Sino-Brazilian academic symposium focused on sustainable heritage and museum practices took place, featuring scholars and cultural officials from both nations. The event at the Immigration Museum was particularly significant, gathering representatives from museums and cultural institutions from China and Brazil.

Before the official inauguration, children from the region participated in hands-on workshops that involved creating golden fan prints and weaving on traditional looms. These activities were designed and facilitated by the China National Silk Museum to inspire young minds and introduce them to the rich craft of Chinese tradition.

Launched by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the provincial government of Zhejiang, Silk Road Week has emerged as a crucial platform for dialogue and cultural cooperation among museums. As the guest country of honor for this 2025 celebration, Brazil's involvement underscored the living legacy of silk and the ongoing collaboration between the two countries.

The collaboration between the China National Silk Museum and the Immigration Museum in Brazil highlighted the initiative known as “Bridges of Civilization.” This initiative seeks to explore and emphasize how silk has historically connected diverse continents and cultures. The exhibition is to continue until March 2026, allowing more visitors to engage with this fascinating historical narrative.

In Foz do Iguaçu, the exhibition dubbed “Splendors of Silk: The Art of Chinese Silk” featured a stunning display of silk works that blend traditional techniques with contemporary design elements. This engaging exhibition was organized by the cultural departments of Zhejiang and involved a strategic partnership that was symbolically sealed with a three-year agreement between the National Silk Museum of China and the city of Foz do Iguaçu, solidifying commitments to cultural collaboration.

Among the highlights was the “Sino-Brazilian Fashion Rendezvous,” an innovative showcase of fashion that drew inspiration from silk road motifs. This unique collaborative effort involved Chinese and Brazilian designers, and it was supported by institutions including the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and the Brazilian Consulate in Shanghai. The event took place at the famous Triple Frontier, which symbolizes friendship and shared beauty among cultures.

In essence, the Brazilian finale of the Silk Road Week not only celebrated cultural heritage but also envisioned a sustainable future through art and fashion, showcasing how silk has historically bridged civilizations across mountains and seas.