Heritage and Intercultural Exchange: Architecture, Monuments and Urbanism along the Silk Roads
Programme
Opening of the exhibition Heritage and Intercultural Exchange: Architecture, Monuments and Urbanism along the Silk Roads – 13:00 | Salle des Pas Perdus
The exhibition highlights the creativity of humanity, as well as the conflicts and natural disasters that shaped the distinctive architecture and urbanism of the Silk Roads. It offers a comprehensive overview of urban and cultural landscapes, with a focus on building typologies and their architectural evolution, driven by exchanges of knowledge in technologies and materials. The exhibition further explores the cities along the overland Silk Roads as hubs of coexistence, showcasing selected cities at their peak within the context of prominent dynasties, empires, or caliphates. It also delves into the ports of the maritime Silk Routes, illustrating human resilience in advancing maritime networks and fostering critical urban developments that connected continents, seas, and oceans.
Launching of the Thematic Collection of the Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Roads: Architecture, Monuments, and Urbanism – 15:00 to 18:00 | Room IX
This new volume explores the architectural achievements and urban planning that shaped the rich cultural landscapes along the historic Silk Roads. It highlights the exchange of architectural styles, innovations in urban design, and approaches to the conservation of monuments, illustrating the profound diversity and intercultural connections among the civilizations of the Silk Roads.
The launch event will feature presentations by some of the contributing authors who will share their research and perspectives on these architectural and urban legacies. Participants will gain insights into how these historical exchanges continue to inspire contemporary cultural dialogues and efforts in heritage preservation.
More on the Silk Roads Programme
The UNESCO Silk Roads Programme was first launched in 1998 with the ‘Integral Study of the Silk Roads, the Roads of Dialogue (1988-1997)’', an initiative that highlighted the cultural interactions between the peoples of East and West through scientific expeditions, field studies, conferences, and cultural performances along the Silk Roads. Since the launch of its second phase in 2012, the Programme has focused on three key objectives: developing, mobilizing, and disseminating knowledge, building partnerships and networking, and empowering youth.
Through flagship initiatives such as the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads international photo contest, the Thematic Collection of the Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Roads, and the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant, the Programme continues to explore the exchanges and mutual influences that took place along the Silk Roads. It aims to provide deeper insights into the development and social transformations of our modern pluralistic societies, fostering greater inclusion and peace.
