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The Han dynasty, the longest of all unified dynasties in China, was a peak in the development of Chinese culture and the Han empire became one of the world's most prosperous regions. An exhibition of Han relics entitled "The Rise of the Celestial Empire: Consolidation and Cultural Exchange during the Han Dynasty" will be held at the Hong Kong Museum of History from tomorrow (June 24) until October 5. This exhibition is the most comprehensive of its kind ever held in Hong Kong. Members of the public will be able to take a close look at more than 160 sets of valuable relics and learn more about the rich culture and history of the Han dynasty, as well as the colourful spirit of the times.
Officiating at the opening ceremony today (June 23) was the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam. Other officiating guests were the Department Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Ms Wang Li; the Deputy Director of Art Exhibitions China, Mr Zhou Ming; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Chow Chung-kong; the Chairman of the History Museum Advisory Panel, Mr Stanley Wong; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Ms Belinda Wong.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam said that the Han dynasty, as the longest among all unified dynasties in China, had a far-reaching influence in many aspects, including politics, religion, art and literature. The Chinese civilisation also spread to Central Asian countries along the Silk Road. Today, the national "One Belt, One Road" initiative is being pursued to strengthen economic and cultural co-operation among the countries along its route. The exhibition will enable visitors to gain a greater understanding of China's cross-border transportation and cultural exchange with other countries 2,000 years ago.
Mrs Lam added that the number of visitors to the museums under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has reached new highs in recent years, with a new record attendance of 6.52 million last year. The museums have been striving to expand their audience. The first museum festival in Hong Kong will be launched this Saturday, offering more than 70 programmes and activities that will entice people of all ages to visit museums and explore the world of knowledge and culture, and to be inspired through their participation.
The exhibition is organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History to mark the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb. Featuring more than 160 sets of invaluable artefacts selected from 40 cultural institutes in the Mainland, the exhibition focuses on the formation of the Han empire and introduces the development of politics, art, society and culture during the Han dynasty under the themes of "The strengthening and expansion of the Han empire", "Everyday life during the Han dynasty" and "The technology, culture and cross-border transportation of the Han dynasty". The exhibition will also introduce the development of the Lingnan region, to which Hong Kong belonged, during the Han periods.
Exhibits in the exhibition include several grade 1 relics, including a jade suit sewn with gold thread from Western Han, which is the oldest and best crafted of the unearthed Han jade suits sewn with gold thread. It also has the most jade pieces and the best-quality jade of any Han burial suit. Other grade 1 items include the two stone animals "bixie" (dispeller of evil) and "tianlu" (heavenly emolument), which were auspicious items placed in front of tombs during the Eastern Han period, and the "Imperial Seal of Emperor Wen" (King Wen of Nanyue) with a dragon knob. The seal belonged to Zhao Mo, the second-generation king of the Nanyue Kingdom, and is by far the biggest Western Han golden seal discovered in archaeological excavations. Also on display is the imperial golden "Seal of Madam You" with a turtle knob, which was probably owned by Madam You, a concubine of Zhao Mo; this too is a grade 1 relic.
The Hong Kong Museum of History has also produced an interactive multimedia programme to reconstruct a Han palace named the Weiyang Palace, which was seven times the size of the Forbidden City of the Qing dynasty in Beijing. Visitors will be able to learn how this huge architectural complex symbolised the scale of the empire and its majestic prowess.
The Han dynasty, including the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, lasted more than four centuries. Despite an interruption created by the usurper Wang Mang, there was a high level of political, cultural, educational, military and social continuity between the two Han eras. An effective legal system was also established during the Han dynasty, facilitating efficient implementation of administration decrees across the nation. These in turn facilitated stable socio-economic development and laid important cornerstones for subsequent dynasties. The prolonged political stability of the Han dynasty created a favourable environment for the consolidation and refinement of culture. As a result, many elements of Han culture, including Han written characters, Confucian ethics, beliefs and ideologies, as well as social practices, have become integral parts of traditional Chinese culture, still interwoven in the way Chinese people live today.
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Art Exhibitions China, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and Art Exhibitions China. Solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, it is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series and also a highlight programme of Transcend - Hong Kong Muse Fest 2015.
For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at www.hanempire.hk/en/home.php, or call 2724 9042 for enquiries.
Ends/Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:49
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