Chinese exhibit makes UK debut at Great Tapestry of Scotland

The textile exhibit, titled From Home Weaving to the World’s Wardrobes: The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles, celebrates a part of China's intangible cultural heritage and has never been seen outside of Asia before.

It opened on January 18 at the Great Tapestry Scotland visitor centre and will run until March 22.

Councillor Euan Jardine, council leader at Scottish Borders Council, said: "It is brilliant to see that Songjiang textiles will be exhibited for the first time in the UK at The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

"This important exhibit showcases the rich textile traditions of Songjiang and reinforces the deep cultural connections between Scotland, particularly the Scottish Borders, and China, both renowned for their proud weaving and craftsmanship."

Tickets are available at greattapestryofscotland.com.

Dragons at the opening of the exhibit. Photos: Phil WilkinsonThe opening was marked with a series of events and workshops celebrating the cultural ties between Scotland and China in the lead-up to Chinese New Year 2025.

Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, centre director for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, said: "We’re thrilled to be the first venue in the UK to host this globally significant exhibit and to be celebrating China and Scotland’s shared interest in textiles.

"It is incredibly apt that 'From Home Weaving to the World’s Wardrobes: The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles' should make its debut at our visitor centre in the Scottish Borders - one of Scotland’s own historic textile heartlands, where traditional methods of production are still used to this day to make garments for leading fashion designers including Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel and more."

The exhibit was brought to Scotland in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the Confucius Institute for Scotland, and the Edinburgh College of Art.

Dong Ye, artist and curator of the exhibit, said: "Songjiang textiles introduced me to the beauty of life.

"It is the foundation of my artistic expression and reflects the raw power of art to tell the stories of history, heritage, and culture.

"The fabric represents the traditional life of the people of Songjiang and tells their story through time—past, present, and future."

The opening weekend events included a Chinese tea ceremony, a lion dance, Chinese calligraphy workshops, and school trips for pupils at two Lothian schools who are currently learning Mandarin thanks to the Confucius Institute for Scotland.

The exhibit is accessible for all ages. Photos: Phil WilkinsonLlinos Jones, general manager at the Confucius Institute for Scotland, said: "We proudly support initiatives that celebrate strong cultural ties between China and Scotland, and highlight the enduring value of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, like the Songjiang textile exhibit."

The Borders Community Rail Partnership has provided funding to support a series of visits for 44 primary school pupils from two schools in Midlothian that have been learning Mandarin.

Erin Murray, a teacher at Moorfoot Primary School in Midlothian, said: "The children have absolutely loved learning Mandarin at school this year, and we’re incredibly excited that the Great Tapestry of Scotland, Confucius Institute for Scotland, and the Borders Rail Partnership are giving our pupils the opportunity to learn even more about Chinese culture."