Fujian Museum. (PHOTO: VCG)

By Staff Reporters

Fujian Museum in east China's Fujian province has been designated as the country's main venue for activities on International Museum Day from May 17 to 19.

That's according to China's National Cultural Heritage Administration, who said the theme for the 2023 International Museum Day is "Museums, Sustainability, and Wellbeing," which emphasizes the positive impact museums can have on promoting sustainable development and contributing to a better life.

The leading exhibition in the Fujian Museum incorporates the elements of the Maritime Silk Road, aiming to interpret the epic routes from a cultural and aesthetic perspective. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the exhibition will highlight BRI's enormous impact on promoting people's well-being.

Of specific interest to art and sculpture lovers, an exhibition on Dehua porcelain is also part of the attraction during the event. Commonly known in the West as Blanc de Chine, Dehua white porcelain made its global journey to other countries along the Maritime Silk Road and gained international fame during the Ming dynasty.

In 2021, Dehua kilns were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with many other sites near Quanzhou, for their importance in ancient maritime trade and the exchange of cultures and ideas worldwide.

At the same time, the exhibition  showcases over 200 cultural relics from 29 museums in China, presenting culture-rich and diverse contents, while creating a platform for museums to communicate with the public.

The conference will announce the results of the annual "Top 10 Exhibition Highlights of National Museums"  and other awards during the event.

China became a member of the International Council of Museums in 1983, and has hosted a number of themed events every year commemorating International Museum Day since 2009 .