Civil Code Publicity Month | Helping You Understand the Civil Code

On May 28, 2020, the Third Session of the 13th National People’s Congress adopted China’s first Civil Code in the history of the People’s Republic of China, which came into effect on January 1, 2021. This landmark event marks a pivotal milestone in the development of the socialist rule-of-law system with Chinese characteristics and represents a major achievement in the building of socialist rule of law in China in the new era.

Yao Chuanxiang on the Performing Arts of “Youyuan” (Part I) — What Are “Baijiao,” “Heban,” “Sanshu,” and “Liusuoyao”?

Original Title: “A Lifelong Passion for Nature—A Casual Discussion of the Performance Artistic Techniques in ‘Youyuan’” Oral Account by Yao Chuanxiang, Compiled by Du Qin Yao Chuanxiang: “To treat ‘Youyuan’ merely as a lighthearted little song-and-dance piece is, in my view, far from advisable.”

Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall’s “Study the Four Dreams, Know Lord Tang” Online Quiz Event for International Museum Day, May 18

Tang Xianzu (1550–1616) was a renowned dramatist and literary figure of the Ming Dynasty in China. His courtesy name was Yiren, and he went by such sobriquets as Hai Ruo, Ruo Shi, and Qingyuan Daoren. Born into a distinguished scholarly family, Tang enjoyed an early reputation for his talent; he excelled not only in classical prose and poetry but also mastered works on astronomy, geography, medicine, and divination. Among his many accomplishments, his contributions to the art of drama stand out most prominently. His four major plays—“The Peony Pavilion,” “The Jade Hairpin,” “The South Chamber,” and “The Handan Dream”—are collectively known as the “Four Dreams of Linchuan.”

5·18 International Museum Day Event Preview (Part 2) | The “A Dream in the Garden” series of themed activities continues to roll out!

The International Council of Museums designates May 18 as International Museum Day each year, with the aim of raising public awareness of museums and jointly advancing the sustainable development of the cultural heritage sector. This year marks the 47th International Museum Day, under the theme “Museums, Sustainability, and Well‑Being.” The theme underscores that museums are vital contributors to community well‑being, a better quality of life, and social sustainability—ranging from supporting global climate action and fostering social inclusion to bridging social divides and enhancing mental health.

Appreciation of a Fine Essay | Tang Xianzu’s Threefold Realm of “Among All Things in Heaven and Earth, Humanity Is Most Noble”

In the nineteenth year of the Wanli era (1591), Tang Xianzu, having submitted a memorial boldly exposing the court’s malpractices and thereby offending powerful officials, was demoted to Xuwen in Guangdong, where he served as a minor administrative officer. The journey was arduous, and upon first arriving at his place of exile, he found that “the people there valued life lightly and knew nothing of propriety or righteousness,” while those who came to seek his guidance were so numerous that “the doorsteps were always crowded, and even the official residence was too cramped to accommodate them.” At this very moment, the imperial court happened to allocate funds for the betterment of the populace; deeply concerned with public welfare and moral education, Tang Xianzu immediately conferred with the county magistrate, Xiong Min, proposing that these resources be used “to consult with Magistrate Xiong, select a site that was open and well‑ventilated, and construct a lecture hall.” Thus arose what would later become the renowned Guisheng Academy of Guangdong—its name, “Guisheng,” drawn from the ancient maxim, “Of all things under heaven, man is most precious.” Tang Xianzu’s educational philosophy, centered on the principle of “cherishing life,” is chiefly articulated in three essays: “On the Guisheng Academy,” “On Mingfu,” and “On the Scholar.”

A gentle song and graceful dance before the lamp, a beautiful encounter beneath the moonlight | “A Dream in the Garden: Museum Night” — An Ancient‑Style Garden Fair

To mark the 47th International Museum Day, on the evening of May 9, 2023, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City, under the theme “Museums, Sustainability, and a Better Life,” leveraged the venue’s landscaped grounds and the distinctive brand identity of Tang Xianzu to seamlessly blend China’s time-honored traditional culture with a Museum Night event. The hall hosted an ancient‑style garden fair themed “A Dream Amidst the Garden,” immersing visitors in the captivating allure of Chinese culture.