Gu Tinglong’s exhibition dedicated to the library legend

In honor of the 120th birthday of Gu Tinglong, the former director of the Shanghai Library, an exhibition of manuscripts and documents was opened at the East Branch of the Shanghai Library. The exhibition honors Gu’s lifelong dedication to the preservation of Chinese culture and historical research.

Gu is known as one of China’s most influential figures in the fields of librarianship, classical bibliography and calligraphy. According to the Shanghai Library, his contributions left an indelible mark on the preservation of China’s classical culture, demonstrating an unyielding spirit of service to tradition and scholarship.

The exhibition “In Memory and Inheritance: A Memorial Exhibition for the 120th Birth Anniversary of Mr. Gu Tinglong” displays Gu Tinglong’s manuscripts, letters, photographs, publications, and personal belongings. More than 1,600 items on display were donated by the Gu family, including rare ancient books, handwritten manuscripts and personal correspondence. Among the most striking exhibits is a handwritten copy of “The Tenth Volume of Selected Poems of the Yuan Dynasty,” a collection of poems that Gu donated to the Shanghai Library in the 1980s.

The exhibition also includes items revealing Gu’s contributions to the restoration of ancient documents, personal correspondence with scholars, and records of his important role in the development of library services in Shanghai.

The exhibition design is a highlight, allowing visitors to experience the world of Gu first-hand. Visitors can step back in time in the furniture showroom with an authentic recreation of Gu’s office, complete with its original chairs and bookshelves. Archival footage of old televisions also gives visitors a sense of his presence.

If you go

Venue: 4/F, Manuscript Pavilion, Shanghai Library East Branch.

Address: 300 Hehuan Road, 合欢路300号.