Terracotta stimulus
An exhibition of China's Terracotta Warriors has become a hit and contributed 78 million pounds ($100.5 million) to Liverpool's economy, the exhibitor announced on Wednesday.
National Museums Liverpool on Wednesday revealed that its blockbuster exhibition, China’s First Emperor
and the Terracotta Warriors, is the most popular exhibition ever held by the organization, and that it has so far contributed almost 80 million pounds (103.1 million dollars) to the Liverpool City region's economy.
The exhibition at the World Museum in Liverpool is part of a program of cultural excellence that is being held across the city this year and which has included the Biennial, Tate Liverpool's 30th birthday and public celebrations through the Liverpool 2018 initiative to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the city being declared a European Capital of Culture.
As China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors draws to a close this Sunday, the latest figures show that more than 600,000 people will have seen the exhibition since it opened just over eight months ago on February 9. This far exceeds original expectations of around half a million visitors.
That figure includes more than 20,000 schoolchildren on educational visits and an incredible 97,000 visitors on group tours.
The museum's shop has reported sales of 30,980 terracotta warrior fridge magnets and 31,119 replica terracotta warriors.
Laura Pye, director of the National Museums Liverpool, said: “We opened China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors in a wonderful year of culture for Liverpool, with another great Biennial and Tate Liverpool's 30th birthday. Huge public events such as The Giants have celebrated 10 years since we were the Capital of Culture. We're so proud to be part of the fabric of Liverpool's rich culture and to have delivered the Terracotta Warriors exhibition for our visitors this year.”
Sir David Henshaw, chairman of the National Museums Liverpool, said: “We are thrilled that so many people have been able to see and enjoy the Terracotta Warriors here in Liverpool.”
“More than three quarters of visitors told us that our Terracotta Warriors exhibition was the main reason for their visit to Liverpool. We are delighted to have made such a significant contribution to the visitor economy of the Liverpool City region,” he added, describing it as a “once in a lifetime experience” for visitors.