Visitors at the family letter museum of Chenggong district, Kunming, Yunnan province [Photo by Gao Wushuang]
Yunnan province's inaugural family letter museum opened in Kunming's Chenggong district on Oct 26, with the mission of collecting, preserving and showcasing family letters that reveal the warmth and personal histories of numerous families in the local area.
The museum's exhibits are arranged into eight sections, with letters displayed chronologically by their authors. Spanning several decades, the curated collection offers visitors a unique perspective on the evolution of family communication over time.
The "Red Family Letters" section features letters from soldiers to their families during revolutionary and wartime periods, conveying deep affection, longing and unwavering dedication to ideals. Letters from notable figures, such as calligrapher Chu Kaizong and historian Ma Yao, evoke the patriotic spirit of those challenging times.
An interactive "Letter to the Future" area invites visitors to write their own letters, preserving memories for themselves or loved ones and fostering a special link to future generations.
Song Ci, a creator in aesthetics and a conservator of cultural relics, noted the museum's important role in safeguarding family letters and cultural heritage. He highlighted the museum's enduring value for both present and future cultural preservation.
