“Harmony of Rites and Music: Exploring the Qilu Culture through Shandong Relics” exhibition opens (with photos)

     The exhibition entitled "Harmony of Rites and Music: Exploring the Qilu Culture through Shandong Relics" opened today (May 28). It is advised by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Shandong Provincial People's Government and the Development Bureau (DEVB), and jointly presented by the Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the DEVB and the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. The exhibition displays fine artefacts from Shandong and Hong Kong, enabling the public to learn about the unique Qilu culture and the pluralistic integration of Chinese civilisation. 

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Standing Committee Member and Secretary-General of the Shandong Provincial Committee, Mr Fan Bo, officiated at the opening ceremony. The Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial People's Congress, Mr Lin Wu, and the Director-General of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Ms Wang Lei, also attended the ceremony. 

     A total of 60 sets (about 200 items) of fine artefacts from Shandong are being displayed for the first time in Hong Kong. Highlight exhibits include the "eggshell black pottery high stem cup with perforations" that represents the pinnacle of Chinese prehistoric pottery craftsmanship; the "white pottery tripod 'he' wine vessel" solely used by nobles in the Neolithic period; the "red pottery 'gui' with bag-shaped legs", a representative object of prehistoric Shandong culture; the ritual bronze yue-axe inscribed with "Ya chou" of Shang dynasty; the stacked bronze tableware from Qi State during the Warring States period; the chime bells inscribed with "You" and the stringed crystal and agate ornaments from the Spring and Autumn period; and a delicate bronze ding inscribed with "Lu Ji" from Western Zhou period. Other exhibits include jade and stoneware, pottery ware, bronze ware and musical instruments, illustrating the development of Qilu culture from the Neolithic period to Ming dynasty.

     Also on display are significant artefacts unearthed in Hong Kong, including yazhang-tablet, stone yue-axe, stringed stone ornament set, quartz rings, perforated pottery basin with incised wave pattern, white pottery basin with perforated ring-foot and bird-shaped pottery jar with handle. Through the comparison of artefacts of both places, the pluralistic integration of Chinese civilisation is demonstrated. 

     The exhibition is being held at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, until October 6. Admission is free. For details, please visit the website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the DEVB (www.amo.gov.hk/en/news/index_id_150.html?year=2024) or call 2208 4488.

     A short video about the preparation for the exhibition can be viewed at the AMO website.