On September 3, the exhibition titled “Archives Witness the Great Spirit of the War of Resistance—Chongqing Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War” opened at the Municipal Archives.
The exhibition is divided into four sections, including “The Patriotic Spirit of Every Individual’s Responsibility for the Nation’s Destiny.” Through modern display methods such as precious archives, scene reconstructions, and multimedia interactions, it three-dimensionally presents the pivotal role of the Communist Party of China in the nationwide War of Resistance and panoramically showcases Chongqing’s epic history as a crucial rear area during the war.
The exhibition features a total of 227 items from more than ten institutions, including the Central Archives, Chongqing Municipal Archives, and Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History and Culture Center. Among them, 42 archival documents are being released for the first time by the Chongqing Municipal Archives, and 25 are being exhibited in Chongqing for the first time.
Municipal Archives
The Municipal Archives are local government repositories that preserve the historical records of a city or town, often dating back to its founding. They typically house vital documents like deeds, meeting minutes, photographs, and maps that chronicle the community’s development. Their primary function is to protect this civic heritage and make it accessible for public research and administrative purposes.
Central Archives
The Central Archives, often referring to a nation’s primary repository for historical documents, are institutions dedicated to preserving a country’s written heritage. Their history is typically tied to the formation of the modern state, created to systematically collect and protect government records, legal decrees, and cultural artifacts. These archives serve as an essential resource for historians, researchers, and citizens, safeguarding the collective memory and legal identity of a nation.
Chongqing Municipal Archives
The Chongqing Municipal Archives is a major historical repository established in 1959 to preserve the city’s governmental and cultural records. It holds significant collections that document Chongqing’s unique history, particularly its vital role as the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The institution serves as an important resource for academic research and public access to the region’s archival heritage.
Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History and Culture Center
The Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History and Culture Center is a museum dedicated to the history of the Chinese Communist Party’s activities in Chongqing during the War of Resistance against Japan and the Chinese Civil War. It commemorates the Red Crag Village, a crucial base for the Southern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and preserves the legacy of the revolutionary struggle. The site serves as an important patriotic education base, highlighting the perseverance and spirit of the communist revolutionaries.
