Heritage Revived: Modern Takes on Chinese Costume Traditions Praised in Sweden

Since opening at China Cultural Center in Stockholm, the Sweden edition of the international touring exhibition Heritage Revived: Modern Takes on Chinese Costume Traditions, a 2026 project supported by the National Arts Fund and jointly organized by Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and China Cultural Center in Stockholm, with the Ethnic Costume Museum of Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology serving as the organizer, has attracted numerous Swedish visitors, members of the cultural and arts community, overseas Chinese, and media representatives. Through more than 200 exhibits that combine traditional heritage with contemporary innovation, the exhibition vividly presents the story of Chinese costume culture and showcases the spirit of Chinese aesthetics.

Watch the video below to revisit the highlights of the exhibition’s opening events.

During the exhibition, many visitors were drawn to a special poetry recital by Xu Jiumei, a poet from Changchun, Jilin Province—known as one of China’s “cities of ice and snow.” Her original poem, Ode to Changchun, beautifully evoked the region’s ice and snow culture, the charm of northern China, and the poetic spirit of the East. Complementing the Beijing Winter Olympics-themed costume exhibits, the performance offered visitors a distinctive artistic experience.

The exhibition brings together more than 200 exhibits, tracing the development of Chinese costume culture. It features traditional ethnic costumes, traditional craftsmanship, Dunhuang-inspired costume designs, the Beijing Winter Olympics apparel collection, and contemporary original designs.

Guided by the exhibition’s curators, Professor Tian Hui and Hu Xiaomei from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, visitors gained deeper insights into the historical and cultural significance, design concepts, and craftsmanship behind each exhibit. They spoke highly of the exhibition’s rich content and the high standard of its curation.

The exhibition will remain open until 17 August 2026.