About thirty technicians, most from Alicante and skilled in museology with experience handling major international exhibitions, are working on the MARQ assembly for the Xián warriors display. The setup will be ready in time for the March 28 opening date.
The assembly work began on January 23 in three temporary rooms and the Library, which together measure more than 1,100 square meters of display space. The process will continue over the coming weeks as more than 150 pieces from the nine Chinese centers that form the international loan arrive at the Alicante museum. This collection is a legacy from the Qin and Han dynasties.
To increase the workforce, about 50 additional specialists will join the team. Chinese museum couriers who are part of the project, along with protectors, scientists, and installation crew for the various sections, will travel to Alicante to participate in the preparation and shipment oversight.
Currently more than 200 people are involved in the project, including teams from the Shaanxi and Xián museums as well as the Alicante museum. Two MARQ technicians, archaeologist Teresa Ximénez and restorer Silvia Roca, have spent two weeks in China to help inspect and coordinate the shipment of the collection.
Negotiations with Chinese authorities to bring the exhibition to Europe faced delays due to diplomatic reasons followed by the Covid-19 situation and later logistical challenges in transferring the artifacts. The first tentative date was set back to 2018, but preparations resumed with renewed momentum.
The appearance of Carlos Mazón and Julia Parra
The President of the Alicante Provincial Council, Carlos Mazón, along with the vice president and culture lead, Julia Parra, supervised the latest phase of MARQ’s halls as they prepare to host the Legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties.
Mazón and Parra walked through the three temporary rooms and the Library where the pieces will be displayed. The President underscored the significance of this historical project for Europe, noting that it offers a rare chance to study works that are not often seen in the continent and that the display will connect visitors with an extraordinary cultural heritage.
Warriors of Xian: MARQ’s most anticipated exhibition is coming
Julia Parra expressed gratitude to all professionals involved for their steady progress in preparing MARQ for this international display. The project marks a milestone for the museum, set to welcome a wide audience to experience a world-class presentation and the best in curatorial care.
During the visit, the General Manager of the CV MARQ Foundation addressed provincial authorities, along with MARQ’s Director, the head of the Diputación Architecture Department, and the lead architect responsible for the design and implementation of the project. The on-site construction manager from Antra Integral Construction also attended, underscoring the coordinated effort behind the exhibition.