Famous empress in the spotlight

History buffs can now learn about the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, one of the most legendary women in European history, at a new exhibition at the Shanghai Museum.

Titled Sissi and Hungary, The Magnificent Life of Hungarian Aristocracy in the 17-19th Century, the exhibition opened on June 1 and will run till Sept 3. The exhibition will also be held in the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Yunnan Provincial Museum and the Shanxi History Museum following the Shanghai stop.

Visitors will get to view 149 artifacts from the Hungarian National Museum that are showcased across five segments at the exhibition, covering areas such as clothing, daily life, weapons and religions.

Empress Elisabeth (18371898), also commonly known as Sissi, was the wife of Franz Joseph I, the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. She is widely known in China because of a popular Austrian film series based on her life story that was made in the 1950s and introduced to China in the 1980s.

Born into the royal Bavarian house of Wittelsbach, Sissi enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying Franz Joseph I at the age of 16. Their marriage relieved the tension between Austria and Hungary at the time, and was also pivotal in Hungary’s liberation. She later became the Queen of Hungary and won the love of its people. She was known to be smart, beautiful and proficient in traditional folk songs and embroidery.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the crown accessories, including a replica of Hungary’s holy crown.

Gabor Tomka, the deputy curator of the Hungarian National Museum, said the exhibition has brought out the essence of 300 years of the country’s history from the time its people drove out the Turkish invaders till World War I.

“The exhibition offers a nice approach to learn about Hungary, especially the changes of dynasties,” he said.

A series of academic forums on Hungarian history will take place during the exhibition at the Shanghai Museum. The film series on Sissi will also be showed alongside other educational activities such as courses on Hungarian decoration. Cao Chen contributed to this story.

TO CHINA DAILY PHOTOS PROVIDED Items exhibited in the exhibition Sissi and Hungary.