On October 25, the “Dear You, Hello – Exhibition of Traditional Chinese Family Letters” opened in Leipzig, hosted by the Renmin University of China Museum and the Confucius Institute in Leipzig. This marks the first time Chinese family letters have been displayed abroad. The exhibition features 36 letters from 15 sets dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese family letter culture to the German audience.
One poignant letter from a father in Shanxi, written during the late Qing period, includes advice to his son who was away on business: “Be cautious in your dealings, be harmonious with others, observe the actions of those with ambition, and do not imitate those lacking perseverance. Enduring hardship today will surely lead to enjoying sweetness tomorrow. In interactions with others, be forgiving, and approach tasks with kindness, even when they do not proceed as you wish.”
Among the significant pieces on display are letters from prominent figures like Chen Duxiu and Liang Qichao to Hu Shi from the 1920s. The exhibition also features eight letters exchanged between the celebrated writer and translator Zhao Ruihong and his younger daughter Zhao Heng, dating from 1953 to 1956 when Zhao was teaching in Leipzig. Zhao Heng shared the story behind these letters with visitors, explaining how her father, a professor at Nanjing University, was invited to serve as a guest professor in the East Asian Languages Department at the university in Leipzig, formerly known as Karl Marx University of Leipzig. The correspondence reflects the connections between families during that era, offering insights into the social conditions in China and East Germany, as well as the friendship between their peoples. In 1956, Zhao Heng and her brother joined their mother to reunite with their father in Leipzig, where they lived together for a year.
The exhibition is complemented by a collection of old photographs featuring young Zhao Heng with her parents and brother in Leipzig, sparking great interest among local visitors.
Family letters are an integral part of China’s rich cultural heritage and serve as a lively medium for cultural exchange between China and the world. According to Li Zhenshi, the director of the Renmin University Museum, the institution houses China’s first family letter museum, boasting a collection of over 80,000 letters from both famous individuals and ordinary families. This exhibition represents a significant milestone, not just in showcasing the emotional depth and historical context of family letters, but also in highlighting the genuine connections and profound friendship shared between the Chinese and German peoples.
