“Who was Lu Xun?” you might wonder. The Lu Xun Memorial Hall stands before us as a portal into the life and legacy of this pivotal figure in Chinese literature.
This museum is more than just a building. It’s a tribute to a man Chairman Mao Zedong called “the saint of modern China”. Lu Xun’s influence on 20th-century Chinese thought is undeniable. His stories, essays and criticisms helped shape a nation.
Inside the Lu Xun Memorial Hall are over 80000 exhibits. These include original manuscripts and complete collections of his works. You will find photos and relics that tell the story of Lu Xun’s life. Sculptures and wax models add to the immersive experience.
Lu Xun whose real name was Zhou Shuren was born in 1881. He witnessed China’s spiritual struggles. This inspired him to become a writer. He aimed to awaken the Chinese people.
Lu Xun wrote “The Diary of a Madman”. It was the first story written in vernacular Chinese. His masterpiece “The True Story of Ah Q” is also featured here. Clay models depict Ah Q’s adventures. They symbolize the Chinese national character of the time.
The Lu Xun Memorial Hall displays over 1500 paintings of characters from Lu Xun’s works. These paintings expose the human nature that Lu Xun captured. He didn’t write for a living. He wrote to inspire the younger generation.
One exhibit features wax statues of Lu Xun. They depict him talking with woodblock artists shortly before his death. Lu Xun believed woodcut prints were easily understood by the public. The museum has over 7000 woodcut paintings collected by Lu Xun.
A plaster mold of Lu Xun’s face is also on display. It was created shortly after his death by his Japanese friend Okuda Koka. Another key exhibit is a first edition of the Chinese translation of “The Communist Manifesto”. Chen Wangdao presented it to Lu Xun.
The Shanghai Lu Xun Memorial Hall opened in January 1951. It was the first memorial site honoring Lu Xun. In 1956, his tomb was moved here to Luxun Park. Chairman Mao inscribed “Tomb of Mr Lu Xun” on the tombstone.
Before entering the Lu Xun Memorial Hall, notice the garden. It resembles the Baicao Garden where Lu Xun played as a child. Traditional lanterns from Shaoxing hang in the main hall. The handrails mirror the window fences of his former residence. Sharp stones surround a bronze statue. This highlights Lu Xun’s satirical writing style.
The Lu Xun Memorial Hall stands as a reminder of his enduring impact. It inspires calm in a rapidly changing society.