“A Literary Legacy: Joint Exhibition on Jinshi Culture and Arts Through the Ages” opened at the Palace Museum’s Wumen Exhibition Hall in Beijing on Jan. 16, 2023. The exhibition was organized by the Palace Museum, Beijing Cultural Relics Exchange Center, the Confucian Temple, and Guozijian Museum, in partnership with CCTV.com, and jointly promoted by China Construction Bank and the organizers.
Distinguished guests invited to the opening ceremony of the exhibition included Wang Xudong, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the Palace Museum; Du Haijiang, Party secretary and deputy director of the Palace Museum; Wang Chenyang, director of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Zheng Shaoliang, deputy director of the General Office of the National Cultural Heritage Administration; Chen Mingjie, Party secretary and director of Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau; Hu Changmiao, secretary to the board of directors of China Construction Bank; Wang Bingsong, deputy secretary of the Party committee and general manager of CCTV.com; and Xu Zhe, general manager of Beijing Cultural Investment Development Group. Participants also included other leaders of the Palace Museum.
“A Literary Legacy: Joint Exhibition on Jinshi Culture and Arts Through the Ages” showcases fine traditional Chinese culture and Chinese traditional virtues. It features 179 works by ancient scholars who were awarded the title of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) since the Tang dynasty (618-907). The show demonstrates the remarkable achievements of those outstanding figures in philosophy, Chinese classical studies, history, literature, and arts, and pays homage to their contributions to the development of Chinese civilization. It is divided into three sections, namely, “The Path to Jinshi,” “Erudite Scholars,” and “Artworks of Scholars.”
Du Haijiang noted that the cultural relics on display, which tell stories reflecting ancient scholars’ patriotic feelings and family values, encourage visitors to contemplate the connections between “cultivating oneself, governing the family and country, and promoting stability and peace in the world.” As such, the exhibition shines a light on the Chinese people's patriotism and their responsibility to stay informed about world events. In recent years, the Palace Museum has implemented the guiding principles outlined in General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speeches on cultural relics and cultural work, as well as the new development philosophy, which emphasizes innovative, coordinated, green and open development for all. The Palace Museum is committed to pursuing innovation and has worked with various institutions to bring cultural relics to life. The museum is also at the forefront of efforts to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture and Beijing’s transformation into a capital of culture and a city of museums.
Chen Mingjie said that the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core highly values preserving and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture and cultural heritage. Following Xi’s fundamental guide for cultural heritage work in the capital in the new era, Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau has prioritized the protection and utilization of cultural relics, and promoted their value. To activate Beijing’s cultural resources, great efforts have been made to protect, manage, and utilize those resources across the capital. Accordingly, the exhibition offers the public a rich cultural experience, taps into cultural potential, promotes cultural exchange and cooperation, makes a significant contribution to Beijing’s cultural and museum industry, and supports the city’s vision of building a national cultural center.
Hu Changmiao reaffirmed China Construction Bank’s commitment to standing on the side of the people, serving national development, supporting the real economy and helping improve people’s lives. Since 2019, China Construction Bank has collaborated with the Palace Museum on exhibitions such as “Xumi Fushou,” “Everlasting Splendor,” and “The Making of Zhongguo, and launched the “Forbidden City Auspicious Beasts” brand for precious metal cultural and creative products. With the exhibition “A Literary Legacy,” China Construction Bank will continue to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s traditional culture by leveraging new finance, and will work with partners to contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
In his speech, Wang Bingsong reflected on the close strategic partnership between China Media Group (CMG) and the Palace Museum. To showcase the cultural relics' charm, CCTV.com under CMG will use its multi-terminal broadcasting platform to livestream and promote the exhibition. Moreover, it is supporting the “CMG Meta Museum” project. Taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the exhibition, CCTV.com continues to strive to integrate ideas, art and technology and draw upon its strengths in content, technology, and platform to jointly cultivate the brand “A Literary Legacy.” It is also deepening strategic cooperation with the Palace Museum in areas such as online exhibitions, cultural and creative products, content production, and program cooperation.
“A Literary Legacy: Joint Exhibition on Jinshi Culture and Arts Through the Ages” is now on at the Meridian Gate Gallery (Wumen) and East Wing Gallery in the Forbidden City, as well as the Confucian Temple and Guozijian Museum. It will run from Jan. 17 to Apr. 2, 2023.
