Jiangsu’s Charm Embraces Stockholm – china cultural center

On November 7, 2025, “Tea for Harmony · A Jiangsu Cultural Gathering Tourism Promotion Event” and “Glowing Grand Canal: The Rebirth of Traditional Crafts”, jointly hosted by China Cultural Center in Stockholm and Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, were successfully opened at China Cultural Center in Stockholm. The event invited representatives from Visit Sweden, Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, Scania and other well-known companies, as well as local tourism industry professionals. Over 100 people from local tourism industry and the general public to participate in the event. The promotion session was presided over by Qian Ning, Deputy Director-General of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Chen Zhongwei, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, Huang Liqiong, Education Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Sweden, Stephen Brawer, Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden attended and delivered speeches.

Chen Zhongwei, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, stated in his address, “Jiangsu is a quintessential ‘water town’ of China, crisscrossed by the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, and dotted with countless rivers and lakes. It is the only Chinese province that embraces a great river, a grand canal, a vast lake, and the open sea. Though situated on opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, Jiangsu and Sweden share deep cultural and tourism connections that transcend geographical distance. This event, under the theme ‘Tea for Harmony’, showcases Jiangsu’s cultural and tourism resources, bringing its silk, tea, and ceramics once again to Sweden via the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It stands as a testament to our friendship across the continents and marks a new chapter of cultural exchange and mutual learning. The event coincides with the recent announcement by the Chinese government of a visa-free policy for Swedish citizens, effective from November 10, 2025, to December 31, 2026”. Seizing this opportunity, Mr. Chen Zhongwei warmly invited Swedes to visit Jiangsu, “We sincerely welcome you to touch the warmth of its history, feel the pulse of the times, and experience a development philosophy rich in humanistic spirit.” Stephen Brawer, Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, emphasized that the visa-free policy recently introduced by China for Swedish citizens would provide a strong impetus for expanding bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

“A Moonlit Spring River & An Enduring Jiangsu Legacy” — this is Jiangsu captured in its most captivating form. During the promotion event, artists from China and Sweden presented a collaborative East-meets-West folk music ensemble. The performance, both elegant and vibrant, became a defining highlight of the activity. Through a heartfelt dialogue between the Chinese bamboo flute and guzheng, and the Swedish nyckelharpa, the artists interpreted the fluidity and inclusiveness of water in musical form. Their collaboration not only illustrated the elegance of Jiangnan culture but also stirred a cross-cultural emotional resonance among the audience. During the event, China Cultural Center in Stockholm was filled with a vibrant flow of visitors. Audience enjoyed tea, viewed exhibitions, watched performances, and exchanged ideas on tourism. It allowed them to truly feel the inclusiveness and innovation of Jiangsu’s culture, as well as the exquisite warmth of its traditional heritage. The perfect blend of art and culture further highlighted the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics. This event was not merely an Eastern aesthetic feast spanning continents, but a significant initiative by Jiangsu to explore the Nordic tourism market and promote mutual learning between Chinese and Swedish civilizations. It injected fresh vitality into cultural and tourism exchanges between the two regions, carrying profound meaning.

“Glowing Grand Canal: The Rebirth of Traditional Crafts” exhibition of intangible cultural heritage also made a splendid appearance at China Cultural Center in Stockholm at the same time. Three thematic spaces, namely “The Taste of Tea”, “The Elegance of Silk”, and “The Palette of Porcelain”, became central highlights. In the “Taste of Tea” space, classic Chinese ink paintings such as “Elegant Gathering in Huishan” adorned the venue with timeless charm. The time-honored Biluochun tea, sourced from rare small-leaf tea varieties native to Dongting Mountain, was served in exquisite Yixing clay teaware, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Zen-like ambiance of a traditional Jiangnan literati gathering. Additionally, Steeped in Nature: Tea Infusions with Chinese Plant (English edition), published by Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing & Media Group, made its overseas debut, offering an in-depth look into the character and charm of Eastern plants hidden behind the aroma of tea.

The “Elegance of Silk” space featured a three-dimensional Dala horse crafted from silkworm cocoon flowers, designed by a Wujiang silk enterprise and inspired by Stockholm’s iconic Dala horse, serving as a vivid symbol of East-West cultural fusion. The collaborative silk scarf “Imperial Splendor”, co-created by the Suzhou Silk Museum and Taihu Snow Silk, creatively incorporated patterns from Suzhou weaving official robes and the traditional “Eight-Direction Halo” motif, blending history with fashion to present a unique aesthetic of daily life. Also unveiled for the first time was a digital color application system for kesi developed by the Suzhou Craft Digital Technology Team at Soochow University (a key Jiangsu provincial culture and tourism laboratory). Complemented by a captivating needlework performance from a young Suzhou embroidery artist, it evoked the unique allure of the watery Jiangnan region. The “Palette of Porcelain” space presented a journey through ceramic artistry from the emerald tones of Yixing celadon, to the warm and fluid forms of Taihu kiln ware, and then to the Gaochun porcelain used for Silk Road state banquets. Through the aqueous spirit embodied in these ceramics, the space masterfully wove together the aesthetics of Chinese color philosophy and Jiangsu’s intangible cultural heritage skills.