In the heart of Beijing, the Cultural Palace of Nationalities stands as a beacon of China’s rich and diverse heritage, particularly highlighted in its recent exhibition. The ‘Exhibition of Cultural Relics and Ancient Books for Consolidating the Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation’ is drawing in crowds, including groups of enthusiastic students from Minzu University of China, despite the cold and windy weather outside.
The exhibition, curated by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, features over 1,500 cultural relics and ancient books. It is thoughtfully divided into three thematic sections: the Great Unity, Integration, and Unity, each showcasing the historical journey of Chinese civilization’s unity and integration.
One of the standout pieces is a fish-print painted pottery ware, dating back approximately 4,700 to 5,100 years. This artifact, drawn from the Cultural Palace of Nationalities’ own collection, symbolizes the communication and integration of the Yangshao and Majiayao cultures. These cultures, originating along different stretches of the Yellow River, collectively contributed to the tapestry of early Chinese civilization.
The museum guide explained how regional cultures in ancient China, initially isolated, gradually merged over time, enhancing unity. The exhibition aims to capture this essence, taking visitors back to the early period of Chinese civilization to witness the longstanding communication and integration.
A noteworthy highlight is a copy of ‘The Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals: The First Year of Duke Yin,’ where the term ‘Great Unity’ first appeared in literature. This ancient tome is part of a broader collection of books covering governance, history, cultural exchanges, and the development of religions within the Chinese context. Many of these books are rare or unique copies, adding to the exhibition’s significance.
The exhibition also features an interactive element for visitors, particularly appealing to younger audiences. A wall designed to resemble a sea of white seashells houses ancient books. Each seashell, when pressed, extends a drawer containing a copy of an ancient book, offering a novel way to engage with these historical treasures.
Since its opening in August, the exhibition has welcomed over 100,000 visitors. The Cultural Palace of Nationalities itself, opened in October 1959 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, was recognized as an architectural treasure of the 20th century by the International Union of Architects in 1999. It holds an extensive collection of over 50,000 ethnic cultural relics, including costumes, coins, musical instruments, handicrafts, and religious items, making it a treasure trove of Chinese ethnic diversity and heritage.
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