From 7 May to 10 October 2021, a nice temporary exhibition is on display at Train World – Schaerbeek train station in Brussels
This exhibition unvelis the little-known yet amazing story of the construction of China’s longest railway line, from Peking (Beijing) to Hankow (today Wuhan), connecting the North to the South, by Belgians in the early 20th century.
For seven years, several thousands of people laboured on this huge undertaking. This exploit was achieved by engineers, technicians and workmen, and also Western and Chinese diplomats and financiers. A young Belgian engineer, Jean Jadot, then aged only 37, coordinated and implemented this massive project.
Besides this historic adventure, the exhibition will also showcase the impressive development of China’s present-day high-speed railways.
Original works relating to the construction of the Peking-Hankow line and created by artists Li Kunwu (China) and François Schuiten (Belgium) add a contemporary artistic touch to the exhibition. Other works by Li Kunwu that draw inspiration from the Chinese railways will also be on display.
During the visit, the main players in the saga, embodied by talking figures, will tell some fascinating tales to go back in time and relive this epic moment.
More info: https://www.trainworld.be/en/exhibition-from-peking-to-hankow-a-belgian-adventure-in-china
image sourced from Train World Facebook page.
PAGODE – Europeana China is co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility Programme of the European Union, under GA n. INEA/CEF/ICT/A2019/1931839