China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), in partnership with Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Association, and Han-wei Cultural Association in Taiwan, announced on April 12 that "A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals - The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty II" would be making its second stop at Feng Chia University (FCU) as part of its 2023 university tour.
At the opening ceremony, CSCLF Vice Chairman Yu Qun and Shaanxi History Museum Council Chairman Qian Jikui delivered video speeches, while Han-wei Cultural Association Director Chen Chunlin and FCU President Wang Wei attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. More than 100 guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait participated in the event either online or in person.
Yu Qun highlighted that the CSCLF has been dedicated to promoting cultural, youth, and public welfare exchanges and cooperation between both sides of the Taiwan Strait since its establishment in 1982. He mentioned that the "A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals - The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty" has been successfully showcased in 10 universities in Taiwan over the past three years, receiving widespread attention. Yu expressed his hope that teachers and students of Feng Chia University can gain a firsthand experience of the exhibition and learn about the flourishing period of the Tang dynasty. He also extends a warm invitation to young people in Taiwan to visit the mainland and personally experience the profound heritage and infinite charm of Chinese culture.
Qian Jikui expressed his hope that the exhibition would allow people to immerse themselves in the scenes of life during the Tang dynasty and appreciate the elegance of Tang culture. He also expressed his desire to share the research and discoveries with friends in Taiwan so as to promote further cultural exchanges.
Chen Chunlin highlighted that the exhibition at Feng Chia University is the third time the Tang mural exhibition is being held in Taichung city. He expressed his hopes that visitors would not only appreciate the artistic achievements of Tang murals but also gain an immersive experience of the life in Chang'an during the Tang dynasty. Furthermore, visitors would also learn about the preservation methods of the murals and gain insights into the "spirit of the times" that made the Tang dynasty a prosperous era.
Wang Wei noted that the Chinese have a tradition of cherishing the memory of the past, and the exhibition provides an opportunity to glimpse the daily life scenes of the Tang dynasty. Furthermore, the exhibition presents a rare chance for teachers and students at Feng Chia University to enhance their cultural and artistic cultivation. Wang hoped that the exhibition could serve as a new starting point and opportunity for cultural exchange between the two sides of the Strait. She also looked forward to future opportunities for students to visit the Tang tomb murals in Xi'an.
At the opening ceremony, the host and staff were dressed in Hanfu. The event also featured a special scene display, where a painter dressed in Tang dynasty-style clothing appeared on stage. Holding a brush, he diligently sketched portraits, transporting the on-site audience back a thousand years to the Tang dynasty. This unique design added a strong Tang Dynasty flavor to the opening ceremony.
After the opening ceremony, the guests and teachers and students from Feng Chia University visited the exhibition under the guidance of the staff.
The exhibition showcases 50 precious murals, including several representative pieces such as "Banquet Scene," which vividly portrays banquets during the Tang dynasty, "Female Attendant Holding an Object," which provides a glimpse into Tang dynasty summer refreshments, and "Music and Dance Scene," discovered in the tomb of Han Xiu, a renowned official of the Tang dynasty, depicting the appearances and formations of dancers and musicians during the time.
To make the exhibition more interactive and enjoyable, the organizers have added a range of exciting accompanying activities, including hanfu dressing, mural copying, "Choosing My Representative Color of Tang Dynasty," AR photography, and mobile phone puzzle games. Furthermore, on April 24, Wang Xiaomeng, vice president of Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology, will be giving an online lecture on the evolution of themes in Tang dynasty tomb murals.
Background information
"A Glimpse of Tang Prosperity from Murals - The Exhibition Tour on Murals of the Tang Dynasty" is a joint initiative of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Association, and Han-wei Cultural Association in Taiwan. The exhibition is divided into two parts, with the first part having taken place from 2020 to 2021, and the second part scheduled from 2022 to 2023. The exhibition has been hosted at 10 universities in Taiwan, including National Taiwan Normal University. In 2023, it has been held at Lunghwa University of Science and Technology (LHU) and Feng Chia University (FCU). The upcoming exhibition will be held at National Quemoy University (NQU) in May.
(Source: Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, CSCLF)
