Introduction

"Chronicles of Hunan" - A Grand Joint Exhibition of Local Chronicles and Cultural Relics

Hunan, one of the significant cradles of Chinese civilization, boasts a long history and a splendid culture. On this land full of legends, it has witnessed innumerable hardships and glories. Local chronicles are the witnesses of history and the carriers of cultural inheritance. They bear the memories and wisdom of countless years and engrave people's lives and beliefs. When opening the pages of the local chronicles, it is as if the ripples of time are set in motion, and thus the story of Hunan unfolds. This exhibition showcases over 200 pieces (sets) of precious ancient local chronicles, cultural relics collected by the Hunan Museum, the Hunan Library, the Hunan Cultural Center and various museum and cultural institutions across and beyond Hunan. These exhibits cover a wide range of categories such as paintings, calligraphy, bronze wares, ceramics, jades, embroideries and so on. Among them, there are more than 130 pieces (sets) of cultural relics from the Hunan Museum, over 80 pieces (sets) of exhibits from the Hunan Library, and more than 30 pieces (sets) of borrowed cultural relics from within and outside Hunan. The exhibition is divided into seven sections, namely "Chronicles" Linking the Past and Present, "Chronicles" on the Evolution of Administrative Regions, "Chronicles" on Astronomy and Geography, "Chronicles" on Customs and Local Products, "Chronicles" on Ethnic Integration, "Chronicles" on Cultural Heritage and Prominent Figures, and "Chronicles" Reflecting Hunan. In accordance with the style of ancient Chinese local chronicles, it comprehensively showcases "Hunan" in the local chronicles to the audience. This exhibition innovatively combines local chronicles of different dynasties with relevant cultural relics and physical materials in depth, tracing the historical changes of Hunan from ancient times to the present and narrating the stories of Hunan in local chronicles to the audience. Each cultural relic is like a piece of history that has been sealed away, waiting for the audience to decipher its story, while local chronicles are like keys that open the doors to these stories. Through local chronicles, people can read the stories of Hunan, through cultural relics, they can witness the stories of Hunan, through the exhibition, profound historical wisdom can be passed on to every audience.