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 | Welcoming Fortune and Embracing the New, Celebrating the Holidays with Joy

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2026-01-05

As the first gentle rain of 2026 fell upon the gardens, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou also welcomed a three-day New Year cultural event. Good day Our museum, under the theme “Welcoming Fortune and Embracing the New, with Lion Dances in Splendid Brocade,” has thoughtfully curated three captivating events and a month-long special exhibition, inviting visitors to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new amid a rich traditional atmosphere, immersing them in the unique charm of Chinese New Year customs and the aesthetic allure of Ming‑dynasty attire. Over the course of three days, laughter filled the halls, painting a vivid picture of a “culturally warm” New Year.

During the New Year holiday, many families set out on trips together, arriving at the venue early with hopes for the new year. Inside, staff members patiently answer questions, while complimentary hot water and convenient amenities in the rest areas ensure that every visitor feels warmly cared for. Each morning, the Yumingtang Visitor Service Center transforms into a bustling “cultural experience hub,” hosting three themed hands-on workshops in succession, allowing participants of all ages to enjoy themselves and take home auspicious meanings through creative activities.

“Horse Treads the New Calendar”

The “Horse Treads the New Calendar” horse‑year–themed rubbings calendar event on January 1st was a big hit. At the venue, participants received free tool and material kits along with premium‑bound calendar bases, and they carefully applied their brushes to auspicious cloud motifs and the character “Fu,” gradually bringing to life festive, custom‑made calendars for 2026. This hands‑on process embodied people’s heartfelt hopes for the new year—“success at once, blessings arriving with every step.” One local resident, beaming as she held her freshly completed piece, said, “This is a horse‑year calendar my child made with their own hands. It’s deeply meaningful and far warmer than any store‑bought calendar!”

Yuan

Dawn

“Abundance of Fortune and Prosperity”

The “Abundance of Fortune and Prosperity” handmade gourd pendant‑making event on January 2 was filled with warmth. Visitors skillfully used materials like felt and string, following step‑by‑step demonstrations to cut, piece together, and wrap, transforming ordinary supplies into auspicious gourd pendants. The gourd, whose name sounds like “fortune and prosperity,” carries cultural meanings of gathering blessings and ensuring health and longevity. The hands‑on crafting process imbued each piece with heartfelt wishes: may the new year bring abundant fortune and prosperity, along with peace and fulfillment. “I’m going to hang it on my balcony, hoping that in the coming year our whole family will be blessed with good fortune, health, and long life,” a young participant said with a smile.

“Lion Dance Welcomes Spring”

On January 3, the “Lion Dance Welcomes Spring” hands-on lion‑lantern‑making event brought the festive spirit to a thrilling climax. As an important vessel of intangible cultural heritage, the lion dance symbolizes auspiciousness, prosperity, and courage, and the tradition of welcoming the new year with lion dances has long been deeply woven into the Chinese people’s collective New Year memories. At the event, free DIY kits for lion lanterns were distributed, and adults and children gathered together, happily engrossed in the activity. Children eagerly chose their favorite colors, while parents and grandparents offered gentle guidance; one by one, vibrant, lively lion lanterns took shape in their hands. The moment the lanterns were lit not only illuminated smiling faces but also kindled the red‑hot energy and hope of the New Year. With the flickering lights and rich New Year atmosphere, the heartfelt wishes for a prosperous life, protection from evil, and a bright future resonated deeply.

Yuan

Dawn

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Exhibition

The month-long exhibition, “Fragrance of Silk and Shadow of Hair—A Visual Guide to Ming‑Dynasty Women’s Fashion Trends,” opens a gateway to the aesthetic sensibilities of the Ming era. Drawing on the styles of the Zhou and Han dynasties above and the Tang and Song periods below, Ming‑era attire captures both the dignified grace and vibrant vitality of women during the time of Tang Xianzu. The exhibition showcases everyday garments such as ruqun and aojun, alongside ceremonial pieces like xiapai and pifeng, inviting visitors to pause, savor, and appreciate the enduring legacy of Chinese sartorial culture.

This New Year’s Day series of events represents a vivid effort by our museum to carry forward traditional Chinese New Year customs and promote intangible cultural heritage. Over the three-day period, the museum welcomed more than 6,000 visitors. Attendees unanimously praised the initiative, noting that it not only enlivened the holiday season but also allowed children to learn about traditional culture through play, making it highly meaningful. By the event’s conclusion on January 3, the memorial hall had earned widespread acclaim for its well-organized programming and attentive service. The museum will resume regular operations on January 4, and following a day of closure for maintenance on January 5, it will continue to provide high-quality cultural offerings, creating a platform for residents and tourists to experience traditional culture and share its enduring appeal—enabling more people to gain insight into history through exploration and to pass on civilization through immersive engagement.

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Editor: Deng Chao | Copy Editor: Jiang Yuanping | Reviewer: Rao Fang

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