The exhibition "Light of the Sun — Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" opens at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.

Release Time: 2025-06-09

On June 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM local time in New York, the exhibition "Light of the Sun — Ancient Shu Civilization and the World," organized by the Information Office of Sichuan Provincial People’s government and the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, opened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as part of the themed activities for "International Day of Civilizational Dialogue." The exhibition centers on sun worship, connecting the brilliant heritage of Ancient Shu civilization with global civilizations, showcasing humanity's shared pursuit of light and life, and conveying the timeless theme of the coexistence and mutual prosperity of civilizations.

The sun has been a spiritual totem of human civilization since ancient times. The exhibition takes this common belief that transcends regions and cultures as its starting point. Through multiple exhibits, it presents the rich forms of sun worship represented by Ancient Shu civilization within the context of ancient civilizations worldwide and Chinese ancient civilization, revealing humanity's awe of natural forces and the diversity of artistic expression.

The exhibition is divided into two main thematic sections. The first section, "Radiance of the World," focuses on the sun worship of ancient civilizations globally, showcasing the core position of the sun in religion, power, and calendars through representative artifacts and images. The second section, "Ancient Shu Shines," provides an in-depth interpretation of artifacts unearthed from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites, explaining the mythological worldview of Ancient Shu civilization and its profound connection to related myths and legends in ancient China.

Ancient Shu civilization is a vivid example of the unity in diversity of Chinese civilization. This exhibition, using the sun as a medium, aims to demonstrate that the dialogue between Chinese civilization and world civilizations has never ceased, and that humanity's aspiration for light is ultimately connected despite different paths.

To enhance the participation of international audiences, the exhibition features a multimedia display titled "Return to Ancient Shu," utilizing projections to dynamically reconstruct the archaeological processes and details of the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites. This immersive experience allows visitors to appreciate the grandeur of Ancient Shu civilization. Additionally, audiences can engage with interactive exhibits, such as VR glasses, to experience the shock of artifacts being unearthed up close.

Civilization becomes colorful through exchange and rich through mutual learning. This cross-temporal dialogue of civilizations will promote mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different cultures, injecting new energy into building a community with a shared future for humanity.