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.

Collection News | Mr. Yao Jiakang Donates His Collection of “Don Quixote” Comic Strips Free of Charge, Supporting the Cervantes Exhibition

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2026-05-25

Passing on the flame of cultural heritage, the fragrance of books enriches the museum. On May 23, 2026, a ceremony marking the gratuitous donation of a collection was held at the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City. Renowned Chinese collector Mr. Yao Jiakang once again generously donated his treasured collection of illustrated comic strips, demonstrating through concrete action the noble spirit of contemporary collectors: “to collect for the public good and to contribute to society.”

Mr. Yao Jiakang has devoted many years to the field of collecting and is widely recognized in the industry as a leading authority on the subject. He currently serves as… Vice President of the Books, Newspapers, and Periodicals Branch of the China Collectors Association With deep industry expertise and a selfless commitment to public welfare, they were successfully selected for commendation by the China Collectors Association. Twenty “Dedicated to Society and Exemplary Collectors” nationwide (ranked fourth) , is a leading figure in the fields of book, periodical, and newspaper collecting as well as public‑interest donations. At the same time, as Honorary Curator of the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou He has always been deeply committed to the cultural development of our institution, forging a profound cultural bond with our museum.

The path of public service requires sustained effort over the long term. Over the past two decades, Mr. Yao Jiakang has remained true to his original commitment to philanthropy, consistently donating precious artifacts free of charge to cultural and museum institutions across the country, with his generosity reaching every corner of the nation. Benefiting more than 250 cultural and museum institutions nationwide. . And this donation is his The fifth time in 15 years Specially for He graced the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou with his presence to participate in a charitable donation drive. Time and again, his visits and generous contributions reflect his profound affection for Linchuan culture and his steadfast support for our institution’s mission of cultural outreach.

At this handover ceremony, Mr. Yao Jiakang donated four volumes of the “Don Quixote” comic strip—each from a different edition—free of charge to the memorial hall. The four editions vary in style, date clearly from distinct periods, and each boasts unique characteristics, combining documentary, collectible, and cultural‑communication value, thereby adding further treasures to the museum’s collection. Among this batch of items, the most precious is… The Lingnan Art Edition of “Don Quixote” , its collectible value is particularly outstanding; following that is Sichuan People’s Edition Translation , is a classic edition that is highly representative of its era; Volume Three is Shanghai People’s Fine Arts Publishing House Chinese-English edition , the bilingual layout is uniquely distinctive, perfectly suited to the needs of cultural exchange and presentation between China and other countries; all three volumes are classic vintage editions published in the 1980s, which, having stood the test of time, retain a distinctive aura of their era as well as the unmistakable imprint of their original publication. The final volume is The Zhejiang People’s Art Theatre’s 1990s production of “Don Quixote” , the comprehensive chronological framework further enriches the temporal dimension of the collection.

As the pinnacle of Spanish literary master Cervantes, “Don Quixote” stands as an enduring monument in the history of world literature and serves as a vital cultural bridge between China and the rest of the world. The four volumes of the “Don Quixote” comic‑strip edition donated this time by Mr. Yao Jiakang hold profound significance for the development and enhancement of the Cervantes exhibition at the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City. This donation has strengthened the exhibition’s collection, filled a gap in the display of different editions, and used tangible artifacts to vividly trace the domestic reception and dissemination of this classic work, thereby enriching the exhibition’s physical exhibits. At the same time, the gift elevates the academic and popular‑science value of the special exhibition. Old‑edition comic strips from various periods bear the hallmarks of their respective eras—publishing techniques, translation styles, and cultural aesthetics—and constitute invaluable primary sources for studying the cross‑cultural transmission of literature and the history of translation.

This donation not only ensures the preservation of these invaluable treasures but also carries forward a cultural mission. Moving forward, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou will carefully safeguard this precious collection and, drawing on the Cervantes Exhibition, enhance the presentation of the artifacts, deepen cultural interpretation, and promote public education, thereby further enriching cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. In doing so, it will invite more people to engage with timeless classics, gain a deeper understanding of civilization, and draw strength from our shared cultural heritage.