Opening of the exhibition Heritage and Intercultural Exchange: Architecture, Monuments and Urbanism along the Silk Roads - 13:00 - Salle des Pas PerdusThe exhibition highlights the human creativity, conflicts and natural disasters that shaped their distinctive architecture and urbanism.

It provides an overview of urban and cultural landscapes, focusing on building typologies and their architectural evolution driven by knowledge exchanges in technologies and materials.

Further, it examines the cities along the overland Silk Roads as hubs of co-existence, discussing selected cities at their peak within the context of significant dynasties, empires, or caliphates.

It also delves into the ports of the maritime Silk Routes, illustrating human resilience in advancing maritime networks and critical urban developments that connected continents, seas, and ;Launching of the Thematic Collection of the Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Roads: Architecture, Monuments, and Urbanism - 15:00 to 18:00 - Room IXThis new volume delves into the architectural achievements and urban planning that shaped the rich cultural landscapes along the historic Silk Roads.

It emphasizes the exchange of architectural styles, innovations in urban designing, and the conservation of monuments, showcasing the depth of diversity and intercultural connections among Silk Roads launch event will feature presentations by some of the contributing authors who will discuss their research and insights on these architectural and urban legacies.

Attendees will gain an understanding of how these historical exchanges continue to inspire modern cultural dialogues and heritage ;Date and time: Wednesday 4 December 2024, from 15:00 to 18:00 pm (Paris time)Location: UNESCO Headquarters - Room IXEntrance: 125, avenue de Suffren, 75007 Paris Metro: Line 10 Ségur-UNESCO, line 6 Cambronne, line 8 École Militaire Bus: 28, 87, 80, 82 Vélib stations: 7018 (Ségur) or 7013 (Duroc)Contact:  UNESCO Silk Roads Programme was first launched in 1998 with the ‘Integral Study of the Silk Roads, the Roads of Dialogue (1988-1997,)’ an initiative which highlighted the cultural interactions between the peoples of East and West through scientific expeditions, field studies, conferences, and cultural performances along the Silk Roads.

Since launching its second phase in 2012, the Programme has focused on three key areas:, developing, mobilising, and disseminating knowledge, building partnerships and networking, and empowering youth.

Through major initiatives such as the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads international photography contest, the Thematic Collection of the Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Roads, and the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant, today the Programme traces the exchanges and mutual influences which occurred along the Silk Roads, seeking a deeper perspective on the development and social transformations of our modern pluralistic societies with a view to reinforce inclusion and peace.