An exhibition highlighting the historic Qiaopi letters, once used by overseas Chinese to send money and messages to their families, is set to open in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the afternoon of August 12.
The event, titled Qiaopi History and Culture Exhibition, is organized by the Shantou Municipal Government with support from the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and undertaken by the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, Association Commercial Chinese Chao Shan in Cambodia, and GDToday, a subsidiary of Nanfang Media Group.
"Qiao" means emigrants and "pi" means letters. Qiaopi are part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, and also known as "Yinxin" or "letter with money" in the Wuyi areas of Guangdong province.
The event will feature nearly 100 original Qiaopi letters and related archives, aiming to shed light on the challenges faced by early Chinese immigrants, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the role these letters played in sustaining family ties across vast distances.
Special attention will be given to the stories of Cambodian Chinese, including one letter from Xu Qiaoyin, a Chinese immigrant who wrote to her son in Chaozhou, Guangdong province. Her letter poignantly captures the struggles and sacrifices of the Chinese diaspora.
The exhibition will also feature interactive displays and elements of Chaoshan culture, such as traditional Chaozhou opera and cuisine, as well as Chaoshan Inlaid Porcelain, allowing visitors to experience the rich heritage of the region.
This event is part of a series of Qiaopi exhibitions. The first exhibition was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from August 8 to 10, and it attracted over 500 visitors, including prominent members of the local Chinese community.
Lydia Liu reported from Phnom Penh
Editor | Will Wei, Alice Feng, James
