Exhibition celebrates regional industrialists' legacy

An exhibition honoring the contributions of patriotic industrialists opened on Dec 10 at the Ningbo Bang Museum, marking a milestone in regional cultural collaboration.

Titled Govern and Benefit the People: Exhibition of Modern Patriotic Industrialists in Shanghai Metropolitan, the exhibition features 120 artifacts that highlight the transformative role of entrepreneurs from the Yangtze River Delta in China's modern era. It spotlights figures like Zhang Jian, the Rong brothers, Fang Yexian, Liu Hongsheng, and Ye Chengzhong, showcasing their efforts to revive the nation through industrial innovation and philanthropy amid challenging times.

The event is organized by the "1+8" Shanghai Metropolitan Area Museum Collaboration Alliance, comprising museums from Shanghai and eight nearby cities, including Ningbo, Suzhou, and Jiaxing. The goal is to strengthen cultural ties across the region by leveraging shared resources and celebrating the area's rich cultural heritage.

The exhibition illustrates how Shanghai emerged as a hub of industrialization in the 19th century, with cities like Ningbo playing key roles in shaping the region's economic landscape. Prominent Ningbo-born industrialists, such as Yu Qiaqing and Ye Chengzhong, established pioneering businesses in sectors like shipping, chemicals, and manufacturing, leaving a lasting impact on Shanghai and beyond.

First launched at the Shanghai History Museum, the exhibition traveled to Jiaxing and Huzhou before arriving in Ningbo, where it will stay until May 19, 2025.

To enhance visitor engagement, the exhibition offers interactive experiences such as commemorative stamps, vintage trademark replicas, and collectible postcards. These activities allow visitors to connect with the industrialists' stories and reflect on their enduring legacy in China's economic history.

The "Govern and Benefit the People: Exhibition of Modern Patriotic Industrialist in Shanghai Metropolitan" opens in Ningbo and will run until May 19. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]