The unique story of China's only empress premieres in Europe

LEEUWARDEN, Netherlands — The exhibition Wu Zetian: The Only Female Emperor of China debuted on Oct 25 at the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics in Leeuwarden, a city in northern Netherlands.

Kris Callens, general director of the museum, underscores Wu Zetian (624-705) and her extraordinary life story. "She is truly unique in world history, and we want the European public to know her," he says, expressing admiration for "all the wonderful ceramics" featured in the exhibition.

A collaborative effort between cultural institutions from China and the Netherlands, the exhibition showcases 105 artifacts from eight Chinese museums.

It presents Wu's ascent from an ordinary woman to the highest ruler during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) from a first-person perspective.

The display includes exquisite items such as pottery figurines, jewelry, bronze mirrors, porcelain, and gold and silver wares.

These artifacts are contextualized within the historical and social landscape of the Tang Dynasty, vividly illustrating Wu's remarkable and tumultuous life.

Callens highlights the exhibition's uniqueness, noting that several pieces have never before been displayed in Europe. "This is a European premiere and we are very proud of that," he states.

He adds that Wu's life and story provides Western audiences with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, which has thrived for thousands of years.

"We aim to build bridges between civilizations through culture," he says.

Callens also emphasizes the museum's commitment to fostering cultural exchanges with its Chinese partners.

"While we have this exhibition now, we are in discussions with collaborators in China about future projects."

The exhibition runs until May 25.