It was announced on Monday by the curator of the 1937 Nanjing
Massacre Memorial Hall that the building will undergo restoration
including the installation of high-tech broadcasting facilities and
sculptures.?
Zhu Chengshan revealed for the first time the detailed plans for
the new hall during a meeting of leaders from 18 museums that have
exhibitions about the War Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).
According to Zhu, speaking in Nanjing, three-dimensional
broadcasting facilities with high-tech lighting and sound
technology will be utilized.
Videos will include documentary films about the massacre,
interviews with important figures such as compatriot writer Iris
Chang, Xia Shuqin who was actually there and several veteran
Japanese soldiers who participated in events.?
A total of 120 laser TV sets will be arranged in the exhibition
zones to show what is recorded in the various areas. Critical
scenes during the massacre will be replicated using sand sculptures
in a bid to bring the events to life. These scenes include the
breaking through of the city walls by Japanese troops and the
slaughter of Nanjing civilians.
Ten new exhibition zones will also be added, according to
Zhu.
There'll be a special zone displaying documents from two
military tribunals after World War II to demonstrate the dignity of
the historic rulings. Old documents and photos from overseas
residents, who were in the city's International Safety Zone which
was established to protect foreigners at the time, will be
displayed in another area.
Zhu said the new hall would also show the contribution made by
Kuomintang troops in achieving victory in the war. The building
will cover 7.4 hectares, compared to 2.2 hectares at present, and
will cost 477 million yuan (US$59.5 million). It'll open to the
public in December 2007.
(China Daily September 27, 2006)