Canals Glow in Stockholm, Jiangsu’s Charm Embraces the Nordics

On November 7, 2025, the “Tea for Harmony · A Jiangsu Cultural Gathering Tourism Promotion Event” and the “Glowing Grand Canal: The Rebirth of Traditional Crafts” - An Exquisite Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition opened splendidly at the China Cultural Center in Stockholm. With silk, tea, and porcelain as bonds, the event wove together millennia of patterns and the essence of Eastern aesthetics, presenting an enduring picture of Jiangsu’s rivers and lakes. Through this gathering, Jiangsu’s profound cultural legacy transcended continents to radiate its brilliance across Northern Europe.

Cultural Tourism Promotion: Sharing a Legacy Shaped by Rivers and Seas, Building Bonds with Northern Europe

At the promotion ceremony, Mr. Chen Zhongwei, Vice Governor of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, stated in his address, “Jiangsu is a quintessential ‘water town’ of China, crisscrossed by the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, and dotted with countless rivers and lakes. It is the only Chinese province that embraces a great river, a grand canal, a vast lake, and the open sea. Though situated on opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, Jiangsu and Sweden share deep cultural and tourism connections that transcend geographical distance. This event, under the theme ‘Tea for Harmony’, showcases Jiangsu’s cultural and tourism resources, bringing its silk, tea, and ceramics once again to Sweden via the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It stands as a testament to our friendship across the continents and marks a new chapter of cultural exchange and mutual learning. The event coincides with the recent announcement by the Chinese government of a visa-free policy for Swedish citizens, effective from November 10, 2025, to December 31, 2026”. Seizing this opportunity, Mr. Chen Zhongwei warmly invited Swedes to visit Jiangsu, “We sincerely welcome you to touch the warmth of its history, feel the pulse of the times, and experience a development philosophy rich in humanistic spirit.”

The promotion session was presided over by Qian Ning, Deputy Director-General of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. She stressed, “Rivers and lakes represent Jiangsu’s most refined cultural tourism emblem. In recent years, we have focused on building the core cultural and tourism brand ‘Charm of Jiangsu’ by fully leveraging our natural and cultural resources. Through the deep integration of culture and tourism, the beauty of Jiangsu’s waters and the richness of its heritage are transcending geographical boundaries to reach a global audience, becoming the ‘poetry and distant horizons’ admired and cherished by more people around the world.” Stephen Brawer, Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, emphasized that people-to-people exchanges serve as a vital bridge connecting the hearts of Sweden and China, with cultural tourism acting as a key vehicle to deepen such a dialogue. He noted that Jiangsu, a province blending profound heritage with an open, forward-looking spirit, offers an ideal starting point for mutual learning between the two civilizations. He also stressed that the visa-free policy recently introduced by China for Swedish citizens would provide a strong impetus for expanding bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Huang Liqiong, Education Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Sweden, pointed out that Sweden’s tea tradition and “Fika” culture resonate deeply with the Chinese tea philosophy that “values communication and celebrates life”. This shared cultural ground, she remarked, lays a natural foundation for strengthening grassroots exchanges through tourism and cultural engagement.

“A Moonlit Spring River & An Enduring Jiangsu Legacy” — this is Jiangsu captured in its most captivating form. During the promotion event, artists from China and Sweden presented a collaborative East-meets-West folk music ensemble. The performance, both elegant and vibrant, became a defining highlight of the activity. Through a heartfelt dialogue between the Chinese bamboo flute and guzheng, and the Swedish nyckelharpa, the artists interpreted the fluidity and inclusiveness of water in musical form. Their collaboration not only illustrated the elegance of Jiangnan culture but also stirred a cross-cultural emotional resonance among the audience.

An Exquisite Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition: Preserving Millennia of Craft, Reviving the Canal’s Glory

During the event, the China Cultural Center in Stockholm was filled with a vibrant flow of visitors. Three thematic spaces, namely “The Taste of Tea”, “The Elegance of Silk”, and “The Palette of Porcelain”, became central highlights.

In the “Taste of Tea” space, classic Chinese ink paintings such as “Elegant Gathering in Huishan” adorned the venue with timeless charm. The time-honored Biluochun tea, sourced from rare small-leaf tea varieties native to Dongting Mountain, was served in exquisite Yixing clay teaware, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Zen-like ambiance of a traditional Jiangnan literati gathering. Additionally, The Taste of Chinese Plants (English edition), published by Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing & Media Group, made its overseas debut, offering an in-depth look into the character and charm of Eastern plants hidden behind the aroma of tea.

The “Elegance of Silk” space featured a three-dimensional Dala horse crafted from silkworm cocoon flowers, designed by a Wujiang silk enterprise and inspired by Stockholm’s iconic Dala horse, serving as a vivid symbol of East-West cultural fusion. The collaborative silk scarf “Imperial Splendor”, co-created by the Suzhou Silk Museum and Taihu Snow Silk, creatively incorporated patterns from Suzhou weaving official robes and the traditional “Eight-Direction Halo” motif, blending history with fashion to present a unique aesthetic of daily life. Also unveiled for the first time was a digital color application system for kesi developed by the Suzhou Craft Digital Technology Team at Soochow University (a key Jiangsu provincial culture and tourism laboratory). Complemented by a captivating needlework performance from a young Suzhou embroidery artist, it evoked the unique allure of the watery Jiangnan region.

The “Palette of Porcelain” space presented a journey through ceramic artistry from the emerald tones of Yixing celadon, to the warm and fluid forms of Taihu kiln ware, and then to the Gaochun porcelain used for Silk Road state banquets. Through the aqueous spirit embodied in these ceramics, the space masterfully wove together the aesthetics of Chinese color philosophy and Jiangsu’s intangible cultural heritage skills.

Lasting Impact: Openness Brings New Radiance to the Charm of Jiangsu

This event was not merely an Eastern aesthetic feast spanning continents, but a significant initiative by Jiangsu to explore the Nordic tourism market and promote mutual learning between Chinese and Swedish civilizations. It injected fresh vitality into cultural and tourism exchanges between the two regions, carrying profound meaning.

Attendees at the event expressed genuine admiration, describing the exhibition as deeply moving. It allowed them to truly feel the inclusiveness and innovation of Jiangsu’s culture, as well as the exquisite warmth of its traditional heritage. The perfect blend of art and culture further highlighted the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics. The delicate textures of silk and the fine luster of porcelain, among other exhibits, were seen not only as the embodiment of the Jiangsu people’s pursuit of aesthetic perfection but also evoked associations with iconic regional symbols such as Suzhou’s classical gardens and the Grand Canal culture, sparking a deep sense of longing. Many expressed that they were touched by the stories behind these exhibits, sharing their eagerness to personally visit Jiangsu. They expressed their hope to explore its ancient towns, experience local life and intangible cultural heritage, and delve deeper into the province’s diverse cultural dimensions, including traditional music, literature, culinary arts, and tea culture.

Furthermore, during the “Insights into China’s Governance” open day event held by the Chinese Embassy in Sweden on November 6, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism supported the Embassy by organizing captivating tea art demonstrations, folk music performances, and intangible cultural heritage displays, alongside presentations on tourism and studying in Jiangsu. Artists from Jiangsu not only delivered fascinating performances and exhibitions but also engaged in direct dialogues in English with young Swedish students. This initiative received high praise from the Embassy. An official from the Embassy’s Cultural Office noted that the event successfully integrated culture, tourism, and education, opening an immersive window for Swedish youth to experience the excellence of traditional Chinese culture. It fully demonstrated the high-quality, comprehensive development of Jiangsu, serving as a vivid portrayal of China’s modernization.

Currently, Jiangsu is committed to enhancing the convenience of inbound tourism, promising a smoother and more enriching experience for Swedish friends exploring the province. The activity venue also featured the newly launched, fully English-language “Jiangsu Travel Guide”, a collaboration between the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the global travel platform Tripadvisor. This was complemented by a series of themed pamphlets on Jiangsu’s culture and tourism, showcasing its diverse appeal through core dimensions such as intangible cultural heritage, cultural lineage, museums, world heritage sites, ancient water towns, and gastronomy. These materials are designed to further ignite the interest and wanderlust of international consumers for a journey to Jiangsu.

Along the glowing Grand Canal, traditional crafts are reimagined. This event has left Swedish attendees with lasting memories of their encounter with Eastern aesthetics. Moving forward, Jiangsu will embrace the world with even greater openness, sharing its unique stories on the global stage. We are confident that the bonds between Jiangsu and Sweden will grow even closer and stronger, and that the tree of our friendship will bear even richer fruits.