On October 25, the "Lovers in the World: Cultural Exhibition of The West Chamber" kicked off at the Guangdong Museum and will run until February 25, 2024. With 320 pieces of cultural relics collected by 13 cultural institutions, such as the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Guangdong Museum, the exhibition demonstrates the historical value and cultural connotations of the classic Chinese romantic tale Romance of the Western Chamber.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Written by playwright Wang Shifu in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Romance of the West Chamber is one of the most famous Chinese operas. It tells the story of Cui Yingying, daughter of a court minister, and scholar Zhang Sheng falling in love after an encounter in a temple. With the help of the maid, Hongniang, they break the barriers of gentry and social status and finally get married.
The exhibition is divided into four parts, introducing the genre of Yuan qu or Yuan opera, the story of the Romance of the West Chamber and the social background, the influence of this opera, and the adaptations of it. Visitors will see ancient books, calligraphy works, paintings, and porcelains about the Romance of the West Chamber.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Significantly, the stories of Romance of the West Chamber were widely used in a variety of daily necessities in ancient China, such as vases, tea jars, plates, etc. These plots also appeared on some porcelains exported to Europe and those produced by Europeans. Furthermore, since the end of the 18th century, the Romance of the West Chamber has been translated into German, Latin, Italian, English, Russian, Arabic and other languages.
Additionally, the exhibition features interactive games, stamp collecting, and other activities, offering an enriching experience for the public.
Time: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays), October 25, 2023 to February 25, 2024
Venue: Hall 1 &2, 3rd floor, Guangdong Museum (广东省博物馆三楼展厅一、二)
Add.: No. 2, Zhujiang East Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区珠江东路2号)
Nearest metro station: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 3 or 5, get off at Zhujiang New Town Station and use Exit B1.
Reporter | Holly
Editor | Olivia, Nan, Will, James
