“With Best Regards — An Exhibition of Traditional Chinese Family Letters” Opens at UCDCII

On the afternoon of November 10, the exhibition “With Best Regards — An Exhibition of Traditional Chinese Family Letters” officially opened at the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland, co-hosted by the UCD Confucius Institute and the Museum of Family Letters of Renmin University of China. The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Donggang Zhang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Renmin University of China; Prof. Colin Scott, UCD Registrar, Deputy President and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Member of the Irish Parliament and former Ceann Comhairle; Dr.. Xikun Zhu, First Secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland; Prof Liming Wang, Director of the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies; Mr. Mike Talbot, Director of Global Partnerships at UCD; Ms. Wang Yanling and Prof Zheng Shi, Irish and Chinese Co-Directors of the UCD Confucius Institute, respectively; Ms. Li Zhenshi, Director of the Museum of Renmin University of China; and other representatives from Renmin University, including Mr. Jia Junxue, Ms. Zhang Damiao, and Mr. Lin Yijia.

In his speech, prof. Zhang Donggang emphasized that people-to-people and cultural exchanges are an indispensable part of China–Ireland relations. Bringing the exhibition to Ireland is not only a practical step in implementing the consensus of the two countries’ leaders, but also a meaningful effort to deepen the China–Ireland strategic partnership through cultural exchange. He noted that family letters are dialogues between loved ones, bonds of emotion, witnesses of history, and a shared cultural heritage of humankind. The correspondence of Irish Nobel laureate W.B. Yeats, which has attracted global attention, resonates with traditional Chinese family letters in its emotional depth. Despite differences in language and culture, the universal human emotions expressed in family letters — such as affection and friendship — reflect shared values and a common spiritual home. He expressed the hope that this exhibition will continue the friendly tradition between the peoples of China and Ireland, inject new vitality into cultural exchanges, and further expand cooperation in humanities and education between UCD and China, fostering people-to-people ties, youth dialogue platforms, and contributing to the mutual well-being and cultural development of both nations.

Prof Colin Scott, UCD Vice President, highly praised the exhibition for its role in promoting cultural exchange between China and Ireland. He highlighted that family letters, as carriers of emotion and cultural heritage, not only showcase Chinese family ethics and values but also resonate with Irish audiences. UCD will continue to support the work of the Confucius Institute and strengthen academic and cultural collaboration with Chinese universities, advancing educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Member of the Irish Parliament and former Ceann Comhairle, remarked that the Confucius Institute’s Chinese language programs in Irish universities have enabled the Irish public to gain a deeper understanding of China and its culture. He emphasized China’s growing influence in global affairs and the importance of maintaining good relations with China for Ireland. He expressed his hope for closer cooperation between the two countries in social, economic, political, and artistic fields and praised the exhibition for fostering mutual understanding. Mr. Ó Fearghaíl noted that letters are a unique medium to convey history, society, and family connections. From the Cromwellian exile to the 19th-century famine and emigration, letters have long been an essential link between Irish people and their overseas families. He encouraged the continuation of letter-writing traditions and highlighted the fundamental differences between handwritten letters and emails, which merit further academic study.

Ms. Li Zhenshi, Director of the Museum of Renmin University of China, introduced the exhibition and expressed gratitude for the support of UCD and the Confucius Institute. She noted that the museum has long valued international cultural exchange and maintains good collaboration with Irish cultural institutions. Last year, to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, the museum hosted an exhibition of works by renowned Irish contemporary artist Stephen Lawlor, which was highly appreciated by Chinese audiences.

Family letters are a distinctive collection of the museum. For this exhibition, 32 sets comprising 55 letters were selected from over 80,000 items in the collection. The letters are reproduced at full scale, framed or displayed in cases, accompanied by photographs and background stories. The letters span over a century, from the late Qing Dynasty to the 1990s, in diverse formats including traditional vertical ink writing, horizontal pen writing, and letters combining text, images, and symbols. They reflect heartfelt human emotions and warm family culture, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese family letter traditions.

(Some of the exhibits)

Following the opening ceremony, guests officially inaugurated the exhibition and toured the UCD Confucius Institute hall. Visitors experienced the deep emotions conveyed through original letters, reproductions, and accompanying stories. An interactive “Write a Family Letter” station allowed attendees to write postcards on-site, experiencing the charm of traditional family correspondence firsthand.

（Ding Zhang, Deputy Director of the Museum of Family Letters at Renmin University of China, presenting the exhibits and their stories to guests）

（Scenes from the Exhibition and Opening Ceremony）

“With Best Regards — An Exhibition of Traditional Chinese Family Letters” has officially opened. Its successful launch not only strengthens cultural and educational exchanges between China and Ireland but also allows more Irish audiences to experience the unique cultural and emotional depth of traditional Chinese heritage. 

The exhibition will be on view at the UCD Confucius Institute Gallery from November 10 to 25. All are warmly invited to visit.