Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and The Palace Museum, the “Longevity and Virtues: Birthday Celebrations of the Qing Emperors and Empress Dowagers” is one of the featured exhibitions of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series 2017/2018. The exhibition introduces the Emperor’s Birthday, which along with the New Year Day and Winter Solstice constituted the three most important festivals of the time, and reveals the ritual system related to the birthday celebrations of the Qing emperors and empress dowagers and the rich culture of ancient Chinese birthday traditions . A number of large-scale multimedia programmes will also be shown in the exhibition to reproduce the jubilant scenes and take visitors back in time to experience these ancient events in new and interesting ways. Mark the date!
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Longevity and Virtues – Birthday Celebrations of the Qing Emperors and Empress Dowagers” Exhibition will display 210 sets of precious exhibits from the collection of The Palace Museum in Beijing that are associated with the grand birthday celebrations of Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Qianlong, Empress Dowager Chongqing and Empress Dowager Cixi. Among the items displayed are many that are making their debut appearance in Hong Kong. The exhibit showcases birthday traditions, Qing palace birthday celebrations, birthday gifts, birthday congratulatory ceremony at court, birthday banquet, and theatrical performances, so that the public can interpret the ritual system and the meaning behind the Qing palace birthday celebrations.
Researchers and specialists from The Palace Museum have been invited by the Hong Kong Museum of History to participate in seminars and to speak in lectures. Workshops, guided tours and outreach programmes will be organised; and an audio guide service, worksheets and educational pamphlets will be provided, in the hope of giving the public a more comprehensive understanding of the content of the exhibition.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated funds for the sixth consecutive year to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the staging of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series Exhibitions. These exhibitions allow the public to have greater opportunities to delve into and enjoy history, arts and culture. If exploring the grand events of the Qing dynasty is something you love, join your friends and family and visit the “Longevity and Virtues – Birthday Celebrations of the Qing Emperors and Empress Dowagers” Exhibition!
