Moscow, Russia – For the first time ever, treasures from the National Museum of China have crossed borders and found a home within the red-bricked walls of the Kremlin. As part of the China-Russia Years of Culture, this immersive exhibit shines a spotlight on over 7,000 years of Chinese culinary tradition, revealing how ancient recipes and rituals continue to shape modern life.
Held in the Patriarch's Palace and the Assumption Belfry, the show weaves together pottery, calligraphy scrolls, bronze vessels and detailed food replicas to tell stories of regional diversity—from the spicy chilies of Sichuan to the delicate tea ceremonies of the southeast coast. Interactive displays let visitors explore how advancements in agriculture, trade and technology jingled jars of spices and transformed simple grains into soul-warming staples.
"Food is more than sustenance here; it's a living archive of beliefs, social ties and innovation," says Wang Wei, curator of the National Museum of China. Data from the exhibit reveal that China's grain production and culinary tools have evolved in parallel: carbon-dated rice samples at 5,000 years ago sit beside high-tech cooking pots from the Tang dynasty.
This cultural collaboration not only deepens people-to-people ties but also sparks fresh conversations among chefs, entrepreneurs and travelers about sustainability and local sourcing. For young global citizens and digital nomads, it's a reminder that every dish carries a narrative that bridges continents.
From business enthusiasts studying food-tech innovations to cultural thought leaders mapping new sustainability models, the Kremlin's latest exhibit invites all to savor history and taste the future. Dasha Chernyshova reports from the Russian capital.
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Treasures from China are being shown in Russia for the first time
cgtn.com
