Hordes throng Alicante's Terracotta Army exhibition
THE EXHIBITION about the history of China at the Alicante museum of archaeology (MARQ) attracted almost 28,300 visitors during its first month, revealed the provincial government.
The figures continue to exceed all expectations, even though it was forecasted to be exceptionally popular.
“Having an exhibition of this calibre in Alicante has put our province in the spotlight for culture and tourism at a world level, as well as generating attraction and interest from the public which deserves the investment made and the return from which is more than evident,” said provincial deputy for culture Juan de Díos Navarro.
Featuring some of the original pieces from the renowned Terracotta Army, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987, the exhibition has taken years of negotiations and work to organise.
“It has enabled our teams of archaeologists, restorers and technicians to work at the same level of demand and quality as their counterparts from the Chinese museums, putting the MARQ at the vanguard of the international museum scene,” Sr Navarro assured.
The visitors have included more Britons than any other foreign nationality, followed by those from Nordic countries, the Netherlands and North America, while the majority of the Spaniards have come from Madrid, Valencia, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía regions.
‘The legacy of the Qin and
Han dynasties, China; the warriors of Xi’an’ includes a selection of 120 original pieces from nine museums and institutions, and is open until January 2024, the longest period that the Chinese authorities would authorise them to be out of their country.
It also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China, ‘which the visitor numbers show has increased the offer of culture and tourism in Alicante’, added Sr Navarro.