More than 6,000 relics of the great leader were transferred from Zhongnanhai for exhibition
The Special Exhibition Hall (Relics Exhibition) of the Shaoshan Mao Zedong Memorial Museum is located at No. 75 Shaofeng Road, Shaoshan City. It is an important base for the study of Mao Zedong's life and Mao Zedong Thought, a national first-class museum, and a national demonstration base for patriotic education.
The Shaoshan Mao Zedong Memorial Museum includes eight scenic areas, including the Life Exhibition Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, and Former Residence Site Group. The special exhibition of the great leader uses unique and precious relics to reveal the life principles of the Chinese Communists represented by Mao Zedong, namely diligence, thrift, integrity, closeness, and purity, and comprehensively displays the spiritual demeanor of a great leader. The museum has themed exhibitions such as "The Spirit Lives On - Mao Zedong Relics Exhibition", "The Great Pen of the Universe - Chairman Mao's Poetry and Calligraphy", "Heroic Martyrs - Six Martyrs of Chairman Mao's Family", and "Eternal Remembrance", displaying a total of 1,008 Mao Zedong relics, showcasing the leader's demeanor from multiple perspectives.
In November 1990, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee approved the transfer of more than 6,000 Mao Zedong relics from Zhongnanhai in Beijing to the Shaoshan Mao Zedong Memorial Museum for preservation. Chairman Mao's relics are the most representative revolutionary relics. The special exhibition hall is the "No. 1 Project" of the national demonstration base for patriotic education and the core construction project of Shaoshan, which was completed and opened on December 25, 2008. The special exhibition hall deeply explores the museum's collection of relics, inherits the red gene, brings the relics to life, and tells the story of Chairman Mao.
The most classic basic exhibition of the Mao Zedong Memorial Museum, "The Spirit Lives On - Chairman Mao's Relics Exhibition", won the Special Award for the Top Ten Exhibitions of National Museums. The exhibition vividly recreates the demeanor and spirit of a great leader through five parts: "Diligent and Dedicated to the People", "Hardworking and Simple, as Pure as Water", "Knowledgeable and Thoughtful, Tireless", "Emotional and Rational, Clear Distinction between Public and Private", and "Elegant and Unrestrained, Open-minded".
The relics include the dragon seal, which is classified as a national first-class cultural relic, the watch given by Guo Moruo during the Chongqing negotiations, the Jim car that Chairman Mao took when he returned to his hometown, the pajamas that he wore for decades with 73 patches, the sofa on which he met with US President Nixon and Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, and more than 6,400 relics of Mao Zedong's later life, such as household bills and menus.
"Eternal Remembrance" displays the visits, inscriptions, and gifts of party and state leaders, international friends, famous people from all walks of life, and the general public to Shaoshan from three aspects: "Party and State Leaders in Shaoshan", "International Friends in Shaoshan", and "Shaoshan Scenery".
"Heroic Martyrs - Six Martyrs of Chairman Mao's Family" mainly introduces the heroic sacrifice, struggle, and dedication of six of Chairman Mao's relatives, Mao Zemin, Mao Zetan, Yang Kaihui, Mao Zejian, Mao Anying, and Mao Chuxiong.
"The Great Pen of the Universe - Chairman Mao's Poetry and Calligraphy" displays Chairman Mao's profound achievements in poetry, articles, and calligraphy from four aspects: "Magnificent Epic", "Brilliant Works", "Immortal Inscriptions", and "Writing Ancient Sentiments".
Seeing the relics reminds us of the person. Visiting the rare relics of the great leader, the simple clothes, and the ordinary items, we can best appreciate his great and simple life, his selfless struggle, which makes my heart surge and increases my remembrance and admiration for the leader.