Expat visitors might also come across familiar faces and names among the exhibits, such as Marco Polo, Matthieu Ricci and Voltaire, all of whom were strong advocates of Confucianism in the Western world.
State-of-the-art video technology and installations add a vital, on-the-spot effect to the exhibition. One such exhibit, entitled Dialogue with Confucius, is arranged in a mini classroom. Confucius appears on the left of a big screen hanging on the front wall, holding a book. Video equipment set up under the screen simulates a class platform. A viewer stepping in front of the video sees his image on the right-hand side of the screen, facing the great teacher as if he were one of his disciples. Touching the video screen prompts an ostensibly "live" recital of the classic works of Confucius that fills the room.
This, and the other three exhibitions: the Historical Evolution of the Confucius Temple; Restoration Show of the Imperial College; and the Imperial Civil Examination System Exhibition, present an overall view of the museum's historical function.
(China Daily June 20, 2008)
