Event Recap | The first day of National Day was packed with visitors! A refined cultural gathering at the soup house ignited patriotic sentiments.

In the golden autumn of October, the entire nation celebrates. On the first day of the National Day holiday, October 1, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou welcomed a steady stream of visitors, brimming with lively energy. To honor the motherland’s birthday and carry forward the opera culture of Tang Xianzu, our museum hosted a cultural gathering titled “Dreams and Sincere Feelings Celebrate Family and Country; Yuxing Elegance Marks the Anniversary.” Centered around the theme “Entering Dreams—Weaving Emotions—Praising the Nation,” the event blended guided tours and live listening, hands-on opera experiences, choral performances of revolutionary songs, and traditional intangible‑cultural‑heritage crafts, enabling visitors to express their deep love for family and country amid the timeless charm of Tang Xianzu’s Four Dreams.

The cultural gathering has officially begun, and the foyer on the first floor of Yumingtang is already bustling with activity. Visitors are arriving one after another to check in at the registration wall, collect small red flags, and pick up their stamp cards. As the docent gently recounts the story, attendees carefully explore the legendary life of Tang Xianzu, enthusiastically answering questions in the “Tang Xianzu’s Life” quiz and earning their first commemorative seal.

At the Yumingtang Reproduction Model area, a solo guqin performance of “I Love You, China,” paired with graceful dance routines, took center stage. Over three consecutive shows, the timeless charm of traditional Chinese music flowed seamlessly, as the tender tones of the guqin and the elegant movements of the dancers complemented one another, drawing visitors to pause and savor the experience. Following the performances, an engaging guqin‑playing interactive session was in full swing, with many guests stepping forward to try their hand at playing a few simple notes, experiencing up close the unique allure of this ancient art form. Those who succeeded in their attempt received a second stamp.

Moving on to the second floor, where the “Four Dreams of Linchuan” exhibition unfolds, a massive circular screen continuously brings to life the timeless tale of “The Peony Pavilion.” Immersive audiovisual effects transport visitors straight into the world of opera as envisioned by Tang Xianzu. Meanwhile, the on‑site Opera Mini‑Class is bustling with enthusiasm, as professional instructors demonstrate and guide guests through classic arias and graceful stage movements. Participants attentively follow each gesture and phrase, savoring the beauty of opera in its flowing, lyrical melodies—and upon completing the experience, they earn their third stamp.

In the Shakespeare and Cervantes Hall, visitors pause to appreciate the artistic legacies of Eastern and Western theatrical masters, experiencing a timeless intellectual dialogue between Tang Xianzu, Shakespeare, and Cervantes. Interactive Q&A sessions unfold in an orderly fashion, with participants thoughtfully engaging and enthusiastically answering questions. Upon collecting their fourth stamp, they gain a deeper understanding of the cultural ethos of “unity between family and country, connecting the world.”

The highlight of this cultural gathering took place on the main stage on the third floor, during the Red Flag Chorus segment. The singer led the audience in a live rendition of “Singing to the Motherland,” as visitors held small red flags and joined in, their voices ringing out with fervor. The resounding chants echoed throughout the exhibition hall, and heartfelt blessings expressed their deep love for the motherland, creating an atmosphere of vibrant enthusiasm.

Visitors who have collected all four seals head to the interactive experience zone on the third floor to take part in the highly anticipated intangible cultural heritage–themed hands-on workshop. Guided by instructors, they learn about the rituals and etiquette of seal‑carving incense as well as traditional methods of blending fragrances, then craft their own personalized incense‑bead bracelets. With their skilled hands, natural incense beads are woven into elegant, wearable handmade accessories, bringing a touch of timeless aromatic charm home. Many visitors proudly show off their creations, beaming with delight.

The entire cultural gathering unfolded in an orderly manner, with a stamp‑collecting and check‑in activity seamlessly linking exhibitions, performances, workshops, and hands‑on crafts. This approach transforms traditional culture from a static display into an immersive experience—something to be heard, seen, learned, and even created. Timeless opera, the melodious sounds of the guqin, the artistry of intangible cultural heritage, and patriotic sentiment converge and thrive together, enriching the cultural lives of local residents and visitors during the National Day holiday while bringing Tang Xianzu’s legacy vividly to life.

This National Day cultural gathering at Yumingtang seamlessly integrates China’s fine traditional culture with patriotic education. Moving forward, our institution will continue to tap into local cultural resources and launch an array of diverse public‑cultural programs, enabling more people to appreciate the Yuming story and experience the profound vitality of China’s outstanding traditional culture.