Museums Specialists in Western Hubei Are Eager to Partner with the U.S. on Cultural Preservation

June 19-22, 2009:  As part of her cultural outreach efforts to western Hubei, Consul General Lyle visited Changyang Minority Museum and Jingzhou Museum to promote collaborative efforts for cultural preservation.  Using ConGen Wuhan’s successful collaboration with Hubei and Hunan Museums as examples, Consul General Lyle held roundtable sessions with museum specialists in Changyang and Jingzhou to introduce the “Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation” and “Museum and Community Collaboration” projects. 

Consul General Lyle visited Changyang Minority Museum and Jingzhou Municipal Museum in western Hubei

After touring the unique collections of ancient antiquities at both museums, Consul General Lyle brainstormed with the museum leaders and made recommendations for the museums to work with the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan and the U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Section to promote better awareness of cultural preservation through academic and community outreach and collaboration.   Both museums expressed their gratitude for American people’s appreciation of Chinese culture and their generosity and good will to help promote and preserve Chinese civilization.   Deputy Mayor of Jingzhou Guo Yuejin, and Former Deputy Party Secretary of Changyang Nei Duyuan, who accompanied Consul General Lyle during her respective visits, fully endorsed the bilateral efforts.

 

CG Lyle with Jingzhou political and cultural leaders in front of Jingzhou Museum

Jingzhou Museum faces new challenges with its recent excavation of a Warring States royal tomb nearby which houses exquisite collections of Warring States period silk garments, jades and bronzes.  Changyang Tujia Minority Museum seeks to preserve dynamic Tujia minority culture (oral literature, folk songs and dances, and handicrafts) through community efforts.