PR89181

HANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou is celebrating the opening of the

2021 Chinese Costume Festival (also called Hanfu Festival), which is being held

over two days from April 24-25, themed "Tang Dynasty Elegance".

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Lucky visitors can enjoy a two-day programme filled with a series of

activities, including a special costume exhibition tour, lectures from senior

scholars, an intimate viewing of precious archaeological textiles in the museum

storage room, costume performances, academic forums, a fashion show, crafts

fair, and the highlight of the whole Festival, the Hanfu Evening.

The idea of holding the event was originally conceived in 2018 by the Director

of China National Silk Museum, Dr. Zhao Feng, who commented: "The intention was

to create a bustling cultural hub of knowledge and exchange for the significant

community of young Chinese people who have developed an avid interest in

traditional Chinese clothing. The museum needed to reinvent itself to meet and

serve the needs of the youth population, so when I noticed that the popularity

of Hanfu among younger generations has really been on the rise over the last

several years, it was the perfect opportunity to bring the concept to

fruition."

Corresponding with this year's theme, the special costume exhibition is

entitled, "Between East and West: Silk Costumes from the Tang Dynasty",

featuring borrowed pieces from Gansu Provincial Museum and various silk

costumes restored by professionals in the Textile Heritage Conservation Gansu

Workstation of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Key Research Base

(China National Silk Museum), presenting dozens of precious Tang Dynasty silk

costumes with a distinct Hu style.

To help unfold the impact of western culture on the Tang Dynasty, especially

the integration of Hu and Han costumes, there are ample illustrations of shoes,

hats and accessories for everyday men and women alongside a demonstration of

the system of crowns and costumes. This exhibition started on April 16 and runs

right through to June 25.

The most noteworthy activity of the Festival must be the Hanfu Evening. The

literal meaning of Hanfu is the historical style of clothing worn by Han people

in China. This year, the Festival is welcoming seven communities from all over

China to give their performances, including short sketch plays, fashion shows,

among others.

The Chinese Costume Festival has been organized for four consecutive years,

each year focusing on a specific dynasty in Chinese history, with a special

online Festival last year due to the pandemic. The organizers are proud to say

the initiative has indeed been a massive success, as the Festival has become a

feast for lovers of traditional Chinese costumes while also serving as an

academic platform for scholarly exchange. The Festival also won a Chinese

Museum Association award in 2019 for one of the most innovative museums in

China.

Making its first appearance at this year's Festival is the first edition of the

China National Silk Museum Costume Forum. Held the day prior to the main

Festival, the Forum hosts Chinese and international collectors, conservators,

researchers and designers of traditional costumes every year to review costume

history, discuss present circumstances and explore future development. With

this year's theme entitled, "The Study of Costume History: Retrospective and

Outlook", the Forum marks the occasion of an overview of world costume history

for the very first time in China.

China National Silk Museum(https://www.chinasilkmuseum.com/index_en.aspx)

Source: China National Silk Museum

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   Caption: China National Silk Museum Celebrates 4th Chinese Costume Festival Showcasing

Traditional Han Clothing