By Marek Traczyk
Chairman of Polish Media Association, Poland
Every nation has its own life wisdoms. Travelling around the world, I have come to know many of them. many I have come to know. What is most gratifying about them is that anyone, regardless of their country of origin, can use them and apply them to their own lives, to other countries. I read a lot about China, I thought I knew a lot about this nation. However, when I visited China for the first time in the early 2000s, I realised that book knowledge was only the basis for learning about the country. My subsequent visit to China at the invitation of the All-China Journalists Association as part of the Belt and Road Journalists Forum project with a tour programme in Jiangxi, Jingdezhen and Ganzhou brought me a completely different understanding of the ancient Silk Road route. Until now, I thought I already knew a lot about this trade route, because of the Chinese implementation of the wisdom that says if you want to be rich build roads.
I actively participate through the organization for a partner from the Chinese Meorient International Exhibition in the implementation of the China Homelife fair project in Dubai, Germany, and Poland, collaborating with Xinhua News Agencies and China Media Group. However, what exceeded all my expectations was particularly getting to know the capital of Chinese ceramics, Jingdezhen.
It is well known about the school or even schools of Chinese ceramics boasting thousands of years of tradition. However, what is achievable in the capital of ceramics is a brilliant project that can serve as a model for other sectors of the economy not only in China. The reconstruction of abandoned ceramic factories is certainly impressive, but that is just a small part of this brilliant project. Why? Because parallel to the renovation of places related to ceramics, jobs were created in them. That is not all, either, as local ceramic masters were additionally offered the opportunity to sell their ceramic works. International participants have also been invited to join the project, which is being carried out in a number of locations around the city.
Visiting these venues, visiting dozens of ceramics masters, one can see that the focus is on quality, the best of the best. Magnificent surprising wares or even art installations attract Chinese and international audiences like a magnet.
Riding the high-speed train from Jingdezhen to Ganzhou, I did not stray far from the Capital of Ceramics. This city remains within me. The great message of this place remained how not only can the old ceramics factories be renovated but how this city, this profession can be given a new prominence. The rank of Ambassador of Chinese Ceramics, a place that is practically becoming the Ceramics Capital of the World.
A place where workshops have been created for artists, a city where details such as roads, parks places of entertainment, hotels have been taken care of. A place to which many roads lead. But the most important road that has been built is the universal road of understanding art, of culture.
That is why this place will stay with me to confirm in my own country that culture
For those who want new inspiration for their lives, I suggest you visit the Ceramics Capital in Jingdezhen. It’s really worth it.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.