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.

5•18 International Museum Day Event Preview | Three Elders Share Tales of Three Lifetimes, While the Fragrance of Yuming Endures in the Eternal Chime of Jade

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2026-05-14

Every year, May 18 marks International Museum Day. In 2026, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) will celebrate its 80th anniversary, and this year’s theme is “Museums: Connecting Worlds.” To mark this cultural‑heritage occasion and to better bring Tang Xianzu’s cultural legacy to life for the public, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City is presenting a series of special events and a brand‑new exhibition. We warmly invite all museum and cultural‑heritage enthusiasts to visit!

I. Exploring and Tracing the Past

Theme: Three Elders Converse on the Dreams of Three Lifetimes, While the Jade Flute Forever Resounds with the Chime’s Melody

Time: May 17 (9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)

Location: Yumingtang

This event is closely aligned with this year’s International Museum Day theme “ Museum: A Bridge Connecting the World “Using the cultural legacy of Tang Xianzu’s ‘Four Dreams of Linchuan’ as a unifying thread, and drawing on the distinctive features of the memorial hall’s three exhibition floors, we have created an immersive experience that combines Hanfu‑themed immersion, multi‑layered interactive elements, and cross‑cultural connections. This initiative breathes new life into the art of Chinese opera and builds a cultural bridge between tradition and modernity, East and West.”

1. Core Exhibition Route and Activity Layout

·First-floor Exhibition Hall: The Life of Tang Xianzu and the Origins of Yumingtang — “Entering the Dream: The Beginning of Fate”

Exhibition Foundation: The Life and Deeds of Tang Xianzu

Side events: Junior docent tours and hands-on sticker‑making activities.

·Second-floor exhibition hall: “The Four Dreams of Linchuan” Immersive Treasure Hunt — “Chasing Dreams, Deep Affections”

Exhibition Foundation: A massive immersive circular screen presenting dynamic visuals of “The Peony Pavilion,” along with faithful reconstructions of the play’s settings.

Side Event: The Four Dreams Treasure Hunt Series.

·Three‑story exhibition hall: “The Four Dreams of Linchuan”—Heritage and Global Influence—“Fulfilling Dreams, Forging Connections”

Exhibition Highlights: A 360-degree interactive experience centerpiece and a photo gallery showcasing the international and domestic dissemination of “The Four Dreams.”

Side events: immersive opera performances and live-streamed guqin music.

·Special Exhibition Hall: Shakespeare and Cervantes Exhibition Hall

Exhibition Foundation: The central thematic hall of this 518 event centers on the historic milestone of the simultaneous passing of three great theatrical masters in 1616, showcasing the artistic resonance, spiritual connections, and cross‑temporal dialogue between Eastern opera and Western literature—perfectly aligning with the International Museum Day theme of “Connecting the World.”

Side events: Collect stamps at iconic sites associated with world-renowned literary figures to earn badges, and redeem rewards by checking in with a seal.

2. Detailed Event Schedule

·First floor: Primarily features hands-on activities. Visitors enter the venue to collect a stamping booklet, then begin checking in at the on-site photo‑ops (there are four “Four Dreams” stamps in total). On the first floor, visitors are divided into a hands-on activities group and a guided‑tour group. The book café hosts a handmade sticker‑making workshop, while junior docents provide explanations to visitors and encourage them to take part in the second-floor activities.

·Second Floor: Primarily features a treasure-hunt activity. Upon arriving on the second floor, visitors begin searching for the missing “Four Dreams” item. Once found, they can collect the second Four Dreams seal from the docent on the second floor. Then, follow the guide’s directions to the third floor.

·Third Floor: Offers an immersive experience of traditional opera performances. Visitors enjoy a “Tea-Picking Opera” performance in the “Four Dreams” photo gallery on the third floor, which showcases its global reach, and then head to the live‑streaming guide to collect their third “Four Dreams” stamp. Then the docent guided the visitors to the exhibition hall dedicated to Shakespeare and Cervantes.

·Special Exhibition: Building a Bridge for Sino-Foreign Theatrical Exchange. Visitors can take photos and check in to receive a commemorative badge. They can pose with images of Shakespeare or Cervantes, or dress in European-style attire. “ Romeo and Juliet ” Simply take a group photo to receive your fourth stamp. Collect all four stamps to receive one badge from the Shakespeare and Cervantes series. Additionally, by sharing your experience on Xiaohongshu, WeChat Moments, Douyin, or other social media platforms and having it approved by the docent, you can earn another Shakespeare and Cervantes–themed badge in a different design.

International Museum Day

II. Showcasing the Past and Present

Original New Exhibition: Bridging Dreams with Jade Fragrance
Time: May 17–31
Location: Yu Ming Tang Front Square

Centered on the theme “Bridging Dreams, Enduring Fragrance of Jade Blossoms,” this exhibition traces Tang Xianzu’s artistic life through four major sections—“Soul, Roots, Connection, and Continuity”—while exploring the timeless allure of his classic plays, witnessing a heartfelt dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations, and celebrating the enduring vitality of China’s outstanding traditional culture. Using drama as a bridge and dreams as a medium, the exhibition transforms the museum into a radiant conduit for mutual learning among cultures.

Exhibition: The Four Dreams of Linchuan—Tang Xianzu’s Life and His Dramas
Time: May 18 to July 26
Location: Temporary Exhibition Hall C3, First Floor, Anqing Museum

“The Four Dreams of Linchuan” uses dreams to explore the human condition, portray earthly passions, critique autocratic Confucian norms, and restore the radiant light of human nature. For more than four centuries, it has remained a perennial favorite, adapted and performed across numerous theatrical traditions—including Kunqu, Peking Opera, and Huangmei Opera—and continues to shine on Chinese opera stages today.

To carry forward China’s outstanding opera heritage, a special touring exhibition co-organized by the Guangdong Provincial Museum, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou, the Dayu County Museum in Jiangxi, and the Anqing Museum will officially open on May 18 in Anqing City, Anhui Province.