Dunhuang, (China) June 8, GNA – China has launched the Silk Road Oriental Pop Up Book in the sacred city of Dunhuang, promoting its global cultural dialogue, and mutual learning for common prosperity agenda.

Unveiled at a parallel session at the Fourth Dialogue on Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations, the event brought together media professionals, academics, students and cultural stakeholders from across the world. 

The book, described as a “gift to the world”, is a unique fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, portraying the shared cultural legacy of humanity through the lens of the ancient Silk Road.

More than just a publication, the pop-up book stands as a symbol of international cooperation and cross-cultural enrichment. 

With content rendered in six official languages – Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish – it transcends borders, making the stories of the Silk Road accessible to a global audience.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Li Shuangwu, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary World Press, which organised the session, noted that the book represented a transition from a flat, printed medium to a three-dimensional narrative empowered by digital innovation. 

“It is not a book belonging to China alone,” Mr Li said, “but a promotion of multidisciplinary cultural exchange and mutual learning.”

The eight-metre-long book took nine years to complete and brings to life 15 key post stations that historically served as hubs of commerce and intercultural exchange. 

Using interactive pop-up art and intricate paper mechanisms, it evokes scenes of camel caravans, travelling monks, artists, and merchants whose stories embody the enduring spirit of the Silk Road.

Mr Li Yangbin, Chairman of Fuzhou Xingkulu Central and Creative Pioneers of the Chinese Oriental Pop Book, described the project as a museum of civilisation built with paper. 

He highlighted how traditional paper art techniques and modern storytelling were combined to preserve the “fragmented memories of civilisations” and invite readers to reconnect with the ancient world in a tactile, immersive format.

The Silk Road – a vast network of interconnected land and sea trade routes – dates back to the 2nd century BCE. 

It served not only as a conduit for silk and other luxury goods but also as a channel for the exchange of ideas, philosophies, religions and art. 

Stretching from China to the Roman Empire, the Silk Road remained active for more than 1,500 years, shaping civilisations and facilitating dialogue among diverse cultures, according to historical narratives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is championing its modern significance in initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative.

It echoes the Silk Road’s mission to foster economic and cultural connectivity.

Experts say the pop-up book, thus serves as both a tribute to the past and a call to action for renewed global collaboration.

With evocative soundscapes, like the rustle of desert winds and the jingle of camel bells, the book invites readers to reimagine the journeys of those who once traversed its storied paths. 

It encourages the new generation to walk the road of intercultural understanding, rekindling the spirit of unity that defined the ancient trade routes.

Mr Li Shuangwu emphasised this: “There is a Chinese saying: ‘Read 10,000 books and travel 10,000 miles.’ This book is a bridge – one that connects us through time and culture.”

GNA

Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage