Latest sessions of Prince Kung's Palace Museum Lecture held

The Prince Kung's Palace Museum Lecture series, organized by the museum and the Research Committee on the History and Culture of Princely Residences of the Forbidden City Society, continues to serve as an influential academic platform connecting scholars with the public.

The eighth and ninth sessions dealt with two compelling topics: archaeological discoveries from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen and the cultural and aesthetic values of traditional Chinese dwellings. Both lectures were praised for their academic depth and engaging presentation.

On March 24, Weng Yanjun, director of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute and the Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Institute, delivered a lecture titled A Brief History of Ming and Qing Imperial Kiln Archaeology and New Discoveries in Jingdezhen. He provided a thorough overview of the significance of the Ming and Qing (1368-1911) Jingdezhen imperial kiln, reviewed archaeological excavations and research at the imperial kiln site since the 20th century, explored the site's connection with local folk kilns and the broader ceramic industry, and shared recent findings in both ceramic and city archaeology of Jingdezhen.

On April 7, Professor Fang Xiaofeng, vice dean of the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University, presented The Culture and Aesthetics of Traditional Chinese Dwellings. His lecture offered a cultural interpretation of traditional Chinese architecture, revealing the institutional, philosophical and aesthetic ideas behind its forms. He also compared architectural characteristics between Chinese and Western traditions, touching on urban design, residential structures and garden landscapes.

Both events featured a lecture followed by an interactive Q&A, successfully attracting a diverse audience including heritage enthusiasts, university teachers and students, and local residents from the Shichahai community.

These sessions enriched public understanding of ceramic archaeology and traditional architecture, while showcasing the cultural inclusiveness and dynamic spirit of Prince Kung's Palace Museum. The ongoing lecture series will continue to invite experts from a wide range of disciplines, making cultural and academic research more accessible to the public and advancing the museum's dual practices of academic development and public education.