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.

Where in this world can one speak of longing?

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5·18 International Museum Day Event Preview (Part 1) | “A Dream in the Garden: Museum Night” — An Ancient‑Style Garden Fair

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 Twenty-Four Solar Terms at the Soup House | Start of Summer

With the arrival of Li Xia, all things flourish. After this season, daylight hours lengthen, temperatures gradually rise, and thunderstorms become more frequent, marking the onset of a vigorous growth phase for crops.

Event Recap | A Highlight Reel of “May Day” Visits to the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City

Fuzhou is a renowned cultural hub and the hometown of Chinese opera. This “May Day” mini‑holiday, getting to know the city begins with a visit to the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall. Visitors explore exhibitions, listen to guided tours, and fly paper kites, all while checking in at the birthplace of the celebrated playwright and immersing themselves in the timeless romance between Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei, savoring the boundless charm of Chinese opera. Even before the holiday, our museum had made thorough preparations, welcoming guests from near and far with enthusiasm and ensuring a successful handling of the brief surge in visitor numbers.