On November 13, 2024, the Armenia: Exhibition of Armenian Cultural Treasures of the 18th - 20th Centuries, an exhibition jointly organized by the Guangdong Museum and the Yerevan History Museum, opened in the No. 3 Exhibition Hall on the 3rd floor of the Guangdong Museum. It runs until February 16, 2025. This is the final stop in the Yerevan History Museum's recent tour of Armenian culture in China.

The exhibition features a selection of over one hundred 18th–20th century Armenian cultural treasures from the Yerevan History Museum, complemented by items from the Guangdong Museum's collection. Through five dimensions—First Encounter with Armenia, Magnificent Attire: Traditional Armenian Costumes, Silver Blossoms and Treasures: Armenian Silverware, A Brocade of Flowers: Armenian Carpets, and Harmonious Coexistence: Inheritance and Intersection—the exhibition comprehensively unveils the art and life of Armenia from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The exhibits include traditional costumes, jewelry, silverware, handicrafts, historical images of the ancient city, and living heritage, outlining the historical footsteps of Armenians in Guangdong. Together, they weave a tapestry of Armenian customs, bringing an encounter with beauty.

The first part, First Encounter with Armenia, presents an overview of Armenia's nation and history, and reveals its national cultural characteristics from the two dimensions of language and religion. The second part, Magnificent Attire: Traditional Armenian Costumes, displays the traditional Armenian costume, the Taraz, and through a comparison of Eastern and Western Armenian attire, presents the gorgeous and unique cultural symbol of Armenian clothing. The third part, Silver Blossoms and Treasures: Armenian Silverware, showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Armenian silver art. From belts and jewelry to tableware, it displays the unique craft details of Armenian silverware from multiple dimensions, interpreting the aesthetics and beliefs behind the decorative patterns. The fourth part, A Brocade of Flowers: Armenian Carpets, displays the ancient art of Armenian carpet weaving. From archaeological discoveries and weaving techniques to carpet patterns, it comprehensively showcases this "living fossil" that bears witness to Armenia's long civilization. The fifth part, Harmonious Coexistence: Inheritance and Intersection, displays the urban landscape of Armenia's capital, Yerevan, and its ancient civilization passed down as living heritage. By exploring the footprints of Armenians in China, it shows the exchange and collision of different civilizations.

This Guangzhou stop of the Armenian cultural exhibition has a unique presentation different from its previous tour stops. The exhibition specially sets up a "Pomegranate Blossoms from the West" section, showcasing Armenia's rich pomegranate culture through costumes, silverware, and carpets. At the same time, it selects several artifacts from the Guangdong Museum's collection with pomegranate motifs for a comparative presentation of pomegranate culture in traditional Chinese concepts and aesthetics, highlighting the different cultures along the Silk Road. In the Exchange and Mutual Learning section of the Harmonious Coexistence part, the exhibition specially presents the historical imprint of Armenian merchants gathering in settlements in Guangdong and establishing factories on the banks of the Pearl River after the 17th century, bearing witness to the history of Armenians trading in Guangzhou's Thirteen Hongs and their deep connection to the city.

Armenia, bordered by Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Turkey to the west, and Azerbaijan to the east, is at a crossroads of East-West traffic on the Eurasian continent. Its unique geographical location has allowed Eastern and Western civilizations to converge in this land, shaping Armenia into a pearl on the Silk Road. Armenia has a long history and beautiful scenery. It has developed a unique, profound culture and is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion, also known as the final resting place of Noah's Ark.

Located at the junction of Asia and Europe, Armenia is a crossroads where different civilizations meet. From the ancient legend of the Ark to the exquisite patterns in every stitch, all tell of a profound heritage that has continued for millennia, shining with a tenacious spiritual power. We hope that in this encounter across time and space, visitors can deeply feel the soul of Armenia and listen to the song of its civilization.

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