Highlights
By Jin Yingying
On June 11, ten international “Hangzhou Seekers” gathered with cultural experts to embark on a journey across time, cultures, and civilizations. They are joined by researchers from the Liangzhu Museum. These guests--from Greece, Türkiye, Brazil, Canada, and beyond--shared personal stories and cultural insights in a vivid seminar titled “Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations Across Millennia”.
The dialogue began where it all started--Liangzhu.
The seminar illuminated how Liangzhu’s ancient legacy continues to resonate today. According to Wang Jiadian, Head of the Cultural Relics Conservation Department at the Liangzhu Museum (Liangzhu Research Institute), the Liangzhu Civilization holds not only historical and academic significance but also vitality in education and cultural innovation. In her presentation, she detailed Liangzhu’s cultural evolution and how its legacy has entered modern life through creative education programs like Liangzhu fairytales and cultural products designed to spark public interest and recognition.
This theme of common humanity resonated throughout the day. Brazilian lawyer Renato Freitas spoke of Capoeira--a Brazilian martial art--as a way to express cultural identity and foster community inclusion. Thai conductor Kittiporn Tantrarungroj highlighted how music bridges traditions, as he seeks harmony between Western classical and Thai folk traditions.
Media representative Tunç Akkoç from Türkiye described his country as a bridge between East and West, with millennia-old settlements like Göbekli Tepe standing as testimony to a rich, converging heritage. Italian documentary filmmaker Leonardo Lombroso reflected on how universal emotions like love shape both Western and Chinese tales--from Romeo and Juliet to The Legend of the White Snake,“Love is a timeless theme that connects us all,” he said.
Likewise, participants from Egypt, Spain, Germany, the U.S., and Canada added their perspectives. Egyptian curator Remonda Zaki shared that the Grand Egyptian Museum will open in 2025 as a dynamic space for both learning and legacy. Francisca Molinero, principal of a Spanish international school, noted how centuries of cross-cultural exchange have shaped Spain into a true melting pot of traditions. German photographer Gunther Riehle celebrated the precision, discipline, and beauty embedded in Germany’s heritage--from cuckoo clocks to Gothic cathedrals.
American historian David Miano offered perhaps the day’s most powerful metaphor: the pyramid. In ancient China, Mesoamerica, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, the pyramid reflects humanity’s shared awe of the cosmos, divinity, and mortality. “Civilizations independently built similar monuments to mark power and the sacred--this shows how deeply alike we are in our existential quests,” he explained.
For Canadian content creator Angelina Zhang, cultural diversity is lived every day--in language, food, and sport. “Whether it’s maple syrup, poutine, or indigenous art, these are all daily expressions of who we are as Canadians.”
The seminar concluded with reflections from local Chinese students, who affirmed the importance of openness to cultures and storytelling. Through shared memories, songs, and symbols, this journey proved one essential truth: despite differences, civilizations are more interconnected than we often realize. And from Liangzhu’s ancient spirit to today’s global exchanges, the story of humanity continues--together.