Full steam ahead for exhibitions marking Palace Museum's 90th anniversary

[File photo]

This exhibition brings together 517 pieces of rarely-seen relics. One of the most famous items is a 44-meter-long painting celebrating the birthday of Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi.

In the Qing dynasty, the emperor's birthday was called the Wanshou (Vast Longevity) Festival, while those of the empress dowager and the empress were called the Shengshou (Sacred Longevity) Festival and the Qianqiu Festival, respectively. The Wanshou Festival became one of the Qing court's most important festivals.

The Kangxi Emperor in particular famously organized a banquet for 1,000 elders, and the Qianlong Emperor subsequently followed his grandfather's example by twice holding banquets to pay respects to 1,000 elders, seeking to promote filial piety and harmony in society.