Prague: National Palace Museum (NPM) Director Hsiao Tsung-huang announced that the museum’s treasured works, including the renowned “Jadeite Cabbage with Insects,” will be curated to resonate with Czech audiences at an upcoming exhibition in Prague. The exhibition, titled “100 Treasures, 100 Stories: Treasures from the National Palace Museum,” is set to run from September 11 to December 31 at the National Museum in Prague.

According to Focus Taiwan, all the artifacts for the exhibition have arrived in the Czech Republic. Among these is the jadeite cabbage, one of the museum’s most sought-after items. Hsiao recounted instances when visitors requested refunds due to its absence from display at the NPM. He anticipates that the Czech public will appreciate the jadeite piece, drawing a cultural parallel to their national dish, sauerkraut, made from cabbage.

Previously showcased in Japan for a brief two-week period, the jadeite cabbage will be on display in the European nation for an extended three-month duration, Hsiao noted. In addition to this masterpiece, Hsiao expects the Czech audience to connect with the painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” The handscroll painting, dating back to the 11th-12th century, portrays commercial activity and daily life in the capital of China’s Northern Song dynasty.

Deputy NPM Director Yu Pei-chin, during a recent research visit to Prague, observed artists painting portraits on Charles Bridge, which reminded her of the Song dynasty artwork’s depiction of everyday life, Hsiao shared. He emphasized that selecting artifacts with culturally relatable themes facilitates public understanding of art and culture.

Hsiao highlighted that the Czech Republic exhibition adopts a more people-centered approach, focusing on everyday life, as opposed to previous NPM overseas exhibitions. This strategy aligns with the museum’s direction ahead of its centennial celebration, allowing the artifacts’ stories to convey their historical and cultural context independently, he added.