The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou is a comprehensive cultural venue built to commemorate Tang Xianzu, one of the world’s hundred great cultural figures and a master of Ming‑dynasty drama in China. It is also one of Jiangxi Province’s ten major memorial halls dedicated to historical luminaries.
Event Recap | The Moon Shines with Tender Affection, the Red Flag Speaks with Earnest Words: A Splendid Review of the Tangguan Double‑Festival Celebrations
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2023-10-09
1. Meet during the dual holidays, with something different every day.
“The Moon Keeps Its Promise, and We Share Its Splendor” — the Mid-Autumn Festival-themed event came to a perfect close amid the joyful laughter of children. A total of thirty families took part in the activities. Led by their parents, the children paused at the lantern riddle station, eagerly running to the volunteers to claim their prizes once they solved the puzzles; stepping through a vibrant rainbow arch, they headed to the first floor of Yuming Hall to receive fresh ingredients and knead the fillings, shaping round glutinous‑rice balls and savoring sweet, handmade mooncakes. Following the guided tour to the third floor of Yuming Hall, they carefully assembled their creations under the volunteers’ guidance, bringing adorable rabbit‑themed paper lanterns to life. Through this series of engaging experiences, the children actively immersed themselves in the festive spirit, sharing in the warmth and joy of the season, and growing together nurtured by the rich traditions of Chinese culture.
Guess the riddle 
Mid-Autumn Moonlight • “Cake” Carries Our Heartfelt Wishes
Lanterns Invite the Bright Moon 
The intangible cultural heritage-themed event “Opera Headpieces: Kingfisher‑Feather Hairpins” invited five families and thirty university students to take part. The guide first introduced the classification of opera roles, the styles of headpieces worn by female characters, the origins of the kingfisher‑feather inlay technique, and its modern technological refinements. Participants then received the necessary tools and were invited to try their hand at crafting, experiencing the joy and artistry inherent in this time‑honored intangible cultural heritage practice.
In addition, participants had the opportunity to try their hand at painting opera facial makeup. Intangible cultural heritage not only bears witness to historical development but also constitutes a precious cultural resource. As an ancient civilization with a long history, China boasts a rich array of intangible cultural heritage—true embodiments of the Chinese nation’s wisdom and cultural brilliance. These activities play a vital role in safeguarding and making effective use of intangible cultural heritage, fostering national cultural confidence, and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Opera Headdress – Kingfisher‑Feather Hairpin
3. October 1st
The “Childlike Hearts Paint the Motherland” patriotic-themed event kicked off with great fanfare at Yumingtang Square. A giant map of China was laid out flat, and visitors entering the venue eagerly picked up their brushes to capture the splendor of their homeland’s breathtaking landscapes. Together, we used this National Day parent–child creative showcase to express our respect and love for our motherland, celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
On October 2, the public performance of the endangered opera genre Xiuhe Gaoqiang—“The Four Dreams of Linchuan”—co-hosted by our museum and the Fuzhou Municipal Center for Cultural and Artistic Development, opened successfully at the Simeng Stage. On the first day, excerpts from “The Story of Handan” and “The Jade Hairpin” were presented. During the performance, more than 300 visitors attended, enthusiastically capturing the show on their smartphones as souvenirs.
Xuhe Opera is an ancient theatrical tradition that has been passed down within the boundaries of Guangchang County, Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province. With a history spanning more than five centuries, it is distinguished by its elegant, gentle, and lyrical melodies. The Meng Opera of Guangchang, a branch of Xuhe Opera, has been inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Preservation.
This event has greatly enhanced the visiting experience for museum-goers during the festival, enabling more local residents and tourists to deepen their understanding of and appreciation for the endangered Xiuhe Gaoqiang opera and Tang Xianzu’s “Four Dreams of Linchuan.” It also holds significant value for the preservation and transmission of endangered theatrical forms and for the promotion of Chinese operatic culture.
5. October 3rd
On October 3, our museum, in collaboration with the Fuzhou Municipal Center for Cultural and Artistic Development, continued to host the “Celebrating National Day: Presenting Opera Classics” event, featuring selected excerpts from “The Peony Pavilion” and “The South Chamber.”
“The Peony Pavilion”: Du Liniang, while enjoying and seeking the spring in the garden, dreams of a scholar named Liu Mengmei. The two meet secretly in the Peony Pavilion, and upon returning home, Du Liniang falls ill from longing and dies. Liu Mengmei travels to the capital to take the imperial examinations and stays overnight at the Plum Blossom Nunnery, where he discovers Du Liniang’s self-portrait. Her spirit returns to the garden and once again encounters Liu Mengmei. Moved by their story, Magistrate Hu restores Du Liniang to life, and the two are finally united in marriage.
“The Story of the Southern Bough”: Chunyu Fen fell asleep beneath a great locust tree and dreamed that he had been summoned to the Kingdom of Dahuai’an, where he became the imperial son-in-law and was appointed governor of Nanke. When the Fourth Prince of the Kingdom of Tanluo, coveting the princess’s beauty, launched an invasion of Nanke, he was repelled; yet, tragically, the princess died of illness. Upon returning to the imperial court, Chunyu Fen’s power and influence grew ever greater, and his indulgence in pleasure knew no bounds—until at last he was banished from Dahuai’an. Only then did he awaken to realize it had all been but a fleeting dream. The Zen master Qixuan took him under his wing, ordaining him and severing his ties to worldly attachments.
On October 4, the public performance of the endangered Xiuhe Gaoqiang opera “The Four Dreams of Linchuan” concluded successfully at the Simeng Stage. The program featured selected scenes from “The Story of the Jade Hairpin” and “The Tale of Handan.” The show drew a large audience, attracting numerous visitors, and received unanimous praise from the attendees. Notably, among those who took their seats to watch with focused attention were many young people, a development that bodes well for the contemporary preservation and dissemination of this endangered art form.
“The Story of the Purple Hairpin”: Li Yi, who has wandered to Chang’an, finds a purple hairpin dropped by Huo Xiaoyu on a plum tree and uses it as a token of betrothal to propose through a matchmaker. After their marriage, Li Yi passes the imperial examination and becomes the top scholar, only to be placed under house arrest by Grand Preceptor Lu, who seeks to make him his son-in-law. Overwhelmed by longing, Xiaoyu falls ill; pressed by poverty, she is forced to sell the purple hairpin, which Grand Preceptor Lu purchases, falsely declaring that she has already remarried and compelling Li Yi to wed her. Upon learning this, Huo Xiaoyu, consumed by despair, scatters the million coins she received from selling the hairpin across the ground. A man in yellow, moved by her plight, intervenes and brings Li Yi back, enabling the couple to be reunited at last.
“The Story of Handan”: Lü Dongbin uses a porcelain pillow to send Lu Sheng into a dream. In his dream, Lu bribes his way through the imperial examinations, rises to high office and becomes a chancellor, enjoying every kind of glory—yet, owing to the cutthroat intrigues of the court, he is demoted. Later, he is restored to favor, ennobled as a duke, and sees his entire family bask in wealth and honor, living long lives before he dies. Only upon awakening does he realize that he has been lying in a roadside inn in Handan. Overcome with enlightenment, Lu Sheng then studies Daoism under Lü Dongbin and attains immortality.
7. October 5th
The “Intangible Cultural Heritage: Opera Headpiece DIY” National Day-themed event saw twenty families enthusiastically take part. Opera is widely recognized as one of the hallmarks of traditional Chinese culture. In classical opera, the “headpiece” refers to the overall hairstyle and decorative ornaments, which are categorized into “soft headpieces” and “hard headpieces.” Through adorning themselves with opera‑inspired accessories, the children brought their characters to life, making them even more graceful and lively.
The “Paint the Five-Star Red Flag, Uplift the Red Spirit” National Day-themed event concluded successfully amid the cheerful laughter of parents and children. More than 30 families took part, expressing their joy in celebrating the nation by painting the red flag onto plaster shapes of various forms, thereby nurturing a deep sense of patriotism.
2. Zixi Bread
Visitors to the museum can scan WeChat or Douyin QR codes each day to receive, free of charge, a specialty delicacy from Zixi County in Fuzhou—known as the “Bread Capital of China”—namely, Zixi bread, bringing the sweet memories of Fuzhou straight to your palate and heart.
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