Dancers perform the Dunhuang dance in Toronto, Canada. [Photo/Dunhuang Converged Media Center]

The "Embracing Dunhuang" International Cultural Art Exhibition opened in Toronto, Canada on June 27, bringing together themed displays, academic sharing sessions, performances, and interactive experiences of Dunhuang's millennia-old civilization.

Luo Weidong, consul general of China in Toronto, said that Dunhuang was a hub along the ancient Silk Road, with Mogao Grottoes murals and sculptures testifying to the openness of Chinese civilization. Digital technology has allowed the grottoes to be experienced by people around the world.

He added that the event helps strengthen China-Canada exchanges.

The exhibition featured over 200 photographs by Chinese and international photographers depicting the local culture, desert scenes, and industry. A VR experience and a sand-painting workshop for young people were also on offer.

Academic sessions included a lecture by Dunhuang Academy researcher Neil Schmid on Dunhuang's historical role as a crossroads. A music and dance performance recreated the grand Tang Dynasty (618-907) Silk Road artistry.

Schmid said that the exhibition connects North American audiences with Chinese culture and inspires more to visit Dunhuang or share its heritage. Dunhuang, as a symbol of multicultural exchange, continues to serve as a bridge for people‑to‑people friendship.