On the afternoon of July 9th, an overseas exhibition for qiaopi history and culture was inaugurated at the Guanghua Hall of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Qiaopi refers to a combination of correspondence and remittance certificates dispatched by the Chinese diaspora to their families residing in the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian during the 19th and 20th centuries, which represents a significant and treasured historical artifact, which provides invaluable insights into the history.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the "Qiaopi and Yinxin" being inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The current exhibition was also The first time that the qiaopi has been exhibited abroad in a decade.

Qiaopi, the exhibited Memory of the World Register, narrates the endeavors of people native to the Chaoshan (a region in eastern Guangdong) venturing overseas, documenting the arduous entrepreneurship of the older generation of overseas Chinese and their profound patriotism, as well as the cultural integration and heritage between Shantou and Thailand.

Upon entering the exhibition hall, familiar Chaoshan nursery rhymes evoke nostalgia among the Chaoshan people. The grand narrative of family and national history behind the qiaopi is vividly conveyed through 120 pictures and texts. Over 200 precious exhibits, including qiaopi documents, coolie currency and overseas remittance commodity supply certificates, showcased The immigration journeys of overseas Chinese striving for a better life and their deep-rooted attachment to their homeland.

The exhibition also meticulously recreated historical scenes related to qiaopi and incorporated local cultural elements like Shantou's Little Garden Park, Chaoshan-style old houses, and Chaozhou opera, attracting numerous descendants of overseas Chinese to visit.

Furthermore, a "post office" that transcends time and space was set up at the exhibition site, allowing visitors to participate in creating qiaopi, expressing Their thoughts towards their hometown on the envelopes, and wishing success for the 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Conference in Shantou in 2024.

A second-generation overseas Chinese living in Bangkok said that attending this exhibition is like embarking on a journey to explore one's roots. "I've always heard my father reminisce about his experiences during his overseas years, and many stories of my hometown are hidden in the dusty qiaopi. This close-up experience has deepened my understanding of my hometown's culture, and I want to visit it if I get the chance."

Lin Chuqin, Chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that qiaopi has been familiar to him since his childhood, which is deeply connected to his parents' experiences. He said: "Each Qiaopi serves not only as a means of preserving familial ties but also as a vessel of profound yearning for one's native land."

The current exhibition will last two days and then move to the Tio Chew Association of Thailand for a long-term exhibition.

百年侨批展在泰国举行

7月9日下午，“三江出海 一纸还乡”侨批历史文化展在泰国中华总商会大厦光华堂拉开帷幕。

据悉，今年是“侨批档案”入选联合国教科文组织“世界记忆名录”十周年，本次展览也是侨批十年来首次走出国门办展。

本次展出的世界记忆遗产——侨批，讲述了潮汕人民“过番”打拼的故事，记载着老一辈海外侨胞艰难的创业史和浓厚的家国情怀，记录着汕泰两地文化的交融与传承。

步入展厅，熟悉的潮汕童谣《天顶飞雁鹅》等歌曲唤起潮人乡情。侨批背后的浩荡家国史，则在120幅图文中娓娓道来，侨批件、“猪仔钱”、侨汇商品供应证等200多件珍贵实物展品，生动展现广大海外华侨出洋谋生、心系家国的移民历程和开拓进取、不忘根脉的深厚情怀。

展览现场还悉心布设“过番”“写侨批”等历史场景，并将汕头小公园、潮汕老厝、潮剧等“潮味”文化元素嵌入展厅，吸引了众多华侨后代前来打卡。　

此外，展览现场设置了一座跨越时空的“批局”，观众可体验参与侨批创作，在批封上书写对家乡的念想，投递到现场的邮筒，寄语祝福2024年第22届国际潮团联谊年会、第十届国际潮商大会在汕头成功举办。

一名居住在曼谷的侨二代表示，来看这场侨批展就是一场“寻根之旅”：“以前一直听父亲回忆起‘过番’岁月中的种种经历，一封封尘封的侨批中有许多家乡的故事，这次近距离感受，也加深我对家乡文化的了解，有机会一定要回去看看。”

泰国中华总商会主席林楚钦说，侨批是他从小就熟悉的事物，且与父辈的经历有着深刻关联。他说道：“一封封平安批，不仅维系着亲情，更是充满着家国的思念。”

据了解，本次在泰国中华总商会开幕的侨批历史文化展为期两天，随后将移至泰国潮州会馆长期展出。

文｜羊城晚报全媒体记者 赵映光
通讯员 汕宣
翻译｜陈萱
责编｜王瑜瑛