The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has launched a roving exhibition entitled "Pavilion of Happiness" which will run until March 20 at China Hong Kong City, presenting the pursuit, experience and expression of happiness in Chinese traditional society.
      
     The exhibition is divided into four parts. The display panels feature various keepsakes used by commoners for expressing a solemn pledge of love in the pursuit of happiness, like the jade pendant symbolising how love is as steadfast as jade and the comb that stands for living to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss. Another section of the exhibition panels tells of the bride's wishes through revealing the metaphorical meanings of the auspicious decorations on a Hakka bridal sedan. For instance, the lotus stands for conjugal harmony, the peony means wealth and honour and the pomegranate analogises fertility. The desire for happiness of the royals can also be found from the collection of the Palace Museum. For example, the butterfly patterns (pronounced as "die" in Mandarin) on the fencai bowl with butterfly and double happiness motifs on a yellow background and other Chinese artefacts decorated with cats (pronounced as "mao" in Mandarin) signify the blessing of longevity as a person having reached the age of around 80 to 90 is denoted as "maodie".
      
     In the animation display zone, a video introducing traditional Chinese decoration is being shown inside a unique bowl-shaped model, symbolising how everyone can be satiated with happiness. Another projection screen shows a short film about the Chinese royal weddings, with animated graphics designed in an unconventional and interesting way. The video showcases the splendour of the imperial palace and the grand weddings of the emperors, and denotes cultural connotations meticulously.
      
     The 18-metre-long glass sticker on display demonstrates the process of the grand wedding, from engagement and empress receiving by imperial order, to the issue of the grand wedding edict and banquet granting after the wedding, allowing members of the public to witness the extremely elaborate rituals and procedures of the grand weddings and revealing the superlatives of the pursuit of happiness in ancient China.
      
     A photo-taking spot, "Two Hearts Entwined Forever", is set in the interactive area, where visitors are welcome to take pictures with the newly married emperor and empress, to experience the sweetness and happiness of marriage and share the joyful moment.
      
     The exhibition is being held at the Central Atrium, UG/F, China Hong Kong City, with opening hours from 10am to 10pm. Members of the public are welcome to visit for free.
      
     The roving exhibition is part of the "In Touch with Palace Museum" campaign being held by the LCSD from the end of 2016 to July 2017. Through a series of exhibitions, programmes and educational activities related to the arts and culture of the Palace Museum, the campaign highlights the essence of traditional Chinese culture and its modern connotations. The activities will be held in various districts, allowing members of the public to discover that far being anachronistic or outmoded, traditional culture still holds a wealth of wisdom for their daily lives.

Ends/Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:45

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