Exhibition of ancient bronzes in Hong Kong illuminates culture, history

Immersive experience

Apart from works related directly to those cultural relics, it was also a priority for the Hong Kong curators to find simple and interesting ways to illustrate to visitors history that dates back thousands of years.

The exhibition is supplemented by several multimedia devices to achieve this. At the entrance of the exhibition hall, visitors can view a short video summarizing the history of the three dynasties.

Illustrations are placed beside certain exhibits to explain their features or related stories. There is even an interactive video in the display area of some oracle bones that allows people to experience the divination ritual of the Shang Dynasty.

On the first two days of the exhibition, the Huaxia Ancient Music Orchestra of the Henan Museum staged an ancient Chinese musical performance for Hong Kong visitors. Dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, actors played ancient tones recorded in historical documents using musical instruments that imitated ancient ones.

Other programs on the fringe of the exhibition in the upcoming months include forums, lectures, and handicraft workshops, organized jointly by Hong Kong and Henan. A study trip of Hong Kong history teachers to Henan is scheduled for June.

By April 22, the exhibition had welcomed around 39,000 visitors.

Launched by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office of the HKSAR government in collaboration with the HKMH, the exhibitions of the General History of China Series will last five years and display historical relics of significant periods in chronological order.

A ding of the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC), with an old label stuck to it, stands out among the exhibits.

It has been deliberately kept as a witness of the story of people protecting cultural relics from gunfire during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Hui said through the exhibition, "We want to show to the audience not only the ancient Chinese civilization, but also its inheritance and transmission."

Xinhua