An exhibition entitled “A Tale of Three Cities: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Export of Silk Products in the Ming and Qing Dynasties” (三城記 - 明清時期的粵港澳灣區與絲綢外銷) is on display at the Macau Museum until March 13. The exhibition features fabric pieces such as silk as well as porcelain, and paintings.
According to a statement by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the exhibition is jointly hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, the Home Affairs Bureau Hong Kong SAR, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC).
The exhibition aims to promote cultural development in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and further strengthen cooperation among the three regions, the IC statement says.
The exhibition is showcasing 112 sets comprising 201 exhibits. The collections are from Guangdong, Hong Kong and local museums. The statement points out that the exhibition is divided into four sections, namely the “The Old Greater Bay Area” (灣區舊貌), “Silk Exports” (絲綢外銷), “The Changing World” (世界變局) and “The Greater Bay Area Today” (今日灣區).
One of the exhibition boards quotes Wang Yiyang (汪一洋), who heads the Culture and Tourism Department of Guangdong, as saying that he hoped the exhibition could enhance the public’s understanding of culture in the GBA, deepen their enthusiasm for Lingnan culture, and strengthen their cultural self-confidence and national pride.
Lingnan culture refers to the regional Chinese culture of the region of Lingnan which comprises the twin provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi, the names of which mean “eastern expanse” and “western expanse” respectively.
Another exhibition board quotes Hong Kong’s former home affairs secretary Caspar Tsui Ying-wai (徐英偉) as saying that Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau have made joint efforts in the performing arts, cultural information, heritage preservation and museums, libraries, Cantonese operatic art development, and the development of the cultural and creative industries.
According to a statement on Macau Museum’s website, the exhibition was held at the Guangdong Museum in 2020. It is now being showcased in Macau and will be exhibited at the Hong Kong Museum of Art later this year.
The Macau Museum is located at 112 Praceta do Museu de Macau (near the Ruins of St. Paul’s). It opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Mondays. Admission is free for local residents, as well as for everyone on Tuesdays and on the 15th of every month.
Photos: Camy Tam and Ula Cheang
