The cultural gem of the Silk Road: Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China
Carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River, the Mogao Caves southeast of the Dunhuang oasis, Gansu Province, comprise the largest, most richly endowed, and most extended used treasure house of Buddhist art in the world.Four hundred ninety-two caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures. Cave 302 of the Sui dynasty contains one of the oldest and most vivid scenes of cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, depicting a camel pulling a cart typical of trade missions of that period.As evidence of the evolution of Buddhist art in the northwest
A sacred and mysterious site in Armenia- Lastiver caves
Lastiver caves of the Armenian Tavush province are located in a picturesque gorge, drowning in lush green dense forests, near the village of Yenokavan, 130 km away from Yerevan.The main cave of Lastiver is located in a valley at an almost vertical slope. To climb into the cave, people were forced to build a particular ladder of logs, which resembled a raft (“last” in Armenian), then they had to pull it up with a rope while the lifter shouted, "Raft up!”. Hence, the name of the place – Lastiver in Armenian means “Up the raft.”Since pre-Christian times the caves of
The Han Dynasty brick relief illustrates a salt-mining scene
Southwest China’s Sichuan province has boasted abundant well salt resources for more than 2,000 years. An Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE) brick relief illustrates the salt-mining scene of the time.The crowded compositions of digging wells, drawing and transporting salt water, boiling salt, and carrying firewood are depicted vividly, reflecting the advanced manufacturing technology of ancient Sichuan.
Armenian designers showcase their collections during Milan Fashion Week
Armenian designers have recently showcased their collections during Milan Fashion Week. One of them- promising designer Vahan Khachatryan, presented his “Renaissance” collection.Inspired by the medieval art of Greater Armenia, it was dedicated to the fantastic ability of the Armenian people to rise, blossom, and create despite any disaster. Tapestries with paintings by the medieval Armenian illuminator Toros Roslin were commissioned in Spain and used for the collection to make dresses, coats, jackets, and bags. Other employed materials are silk satins, printed silk chiffon and satin, silk lurex double-face chiffon, and metal mesh—all to replicate the colors and textures of medieval
The legend associated with the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture. Its history dates back over 3,000 years.The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night. On this day, the Chinese believe that the Moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn.Lanterns of all sizes and shapes are carried and displayed – symbolic beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune. Mooncakes, a rich pastry typically
