mailNever before seen outside of Asia, this highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s intangible cultural heritage has made its European debut on display at the award-winning Great Tapestry of Scotland. Reflecting the countries’ shared interest in textiles, From Home Weaving to the World’s Wardrobes: The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles will be on display from 17th January until 22nd March 2025 and has been brought to Scotland in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the Confucius Institute for Scotland and the Edinburgh College of Art.
A vibrant opening event, celebrated the cultural ties between Scotland and China in the lead up to Chinese New Year 2025 and included a Chinese Tea Ceremony, Lion Dance, craft workshops and school trips for pupils at three schools who are currently learning Mandarin thanks to the Confucius Institute for Scotland.
Through a collection of textiles and garments chosen by artist Dong Ye, the The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles tells the story of an ancient cloth weaving technique which has been preserved for over 700 years in the millennium-old Songjiang district of Shanghai, often referred to as the ‘Root of Shanghai’. Much like Scotland’s iconic fabrics, the Songjiang textiles are widely recognised for their cultural importance to China, with its intricate weaving techniques, beautiful patterns, and ancient historical relevance to the Ming and Yuan Dynasties.
We were delighted to be joined by representatives from the organisations that made this exhibition possible, including The University of Edinburgh, Confucius Institute, Edinburgh College of Art as well as Zhang Biao, Chinese Consul General, Edinburgh and Watson McAteer, Convener, Scottish Borders Council alongside invited guests.
"Songjiang textiles introduced me to the beauty of life. It is the foundation of my artistic expression and reflects the raw power of art to tell the stories of history, heritage and culture. The fabric represents the traditional life of the people of Songjiang and tells their story through time—past, present, and future. Celebrating this intangible heritage is crucial to preserving our cultural identity and revitalising our future through traditional craftsmanship."
