Bunjil Place welcomed over 2,000 visitors on the Queen's Birthday long weekend when the City of Casey hosted its first Chinese exhibition - Revisiting Han Dynasty.
Visitors, which included more than 450 first timers to Bunjil Place, were able to explore a culture that spans more than 2,000 years as the Bunjil Place Studio was transformed into a time capsule, showcasing the lifestyle of the Han Dynasty.
This was demonstrated through:
• replicas of findings from the royal tomb
• genuine artefacts from the Han Dynasty
• a short film about Marquis Haihun
• a virtual tour of historic royal buildings
• traditional Chinese lacquer artwork and how this 2,000-year-old technique is being used by modern artists to crate beautiful artwork, and
• 3D digital representations of relics found in royal tombs in Han Dynasty
City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon was thrilled to open the festival along with 100 special guests on Thursday 6 June.
The Mayor got a first glimpse of the exhibition with Chinese dignitaries including Deputy Chinese Consul General delegates Mr Yan Sun and Ms Li Li representing the Deputy Head of the Cultural Development Bureau from the Jiangxi Province, as well as representatives from Australian Jiangxi Association, Hubei Business Association, Sichuan Business Association and Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood MP.
"Last Thursday we were treated to a traditional tea ceremony and had a glimpse of the Han Dynasty glamour, which saw the start of the successful Silk Road, Cr Stapledon said.
She added that last weekend's event helped acknowledge the important engagement strategy between the City of Casey and China, as well as the trade connections that Silk Road fostered throughout the world.
"It was a time of prosperity for the Chinese people and a time that continues to be celebrated today, thanks to the long-term benefits that Silk Road delivered to China and its ongoing trade partners," Cr Stapledon said.
Following the official launch, approximately 2,000 people visited the exhibition and Chinese Cultural Exhibition across the weekend, with families participating in the dragon boat festival, storytelling and craft workshops in the Bunjil Place Library.
The Cultural Consul also attended on Sunday, for the cultural relic's appreciation.
This event has also provided potential benefits for future relationships within the City of Casey.
Pictured: Local business woman Marlene Hargreaves, City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon and Chris Russell from the Casey Cardinia Visitor Economy Board during the traditional tea ceremony last week.
