“茜茜公主与匈牙利”展开幕

A three-month exhibition about Hungarian aristocracy between the 17th and 19th centuries kicked off its tour around China, starting from Shanghai on Friday. 

"Sissi and Hungary" is jointly held by the Shanghai Museum and the Hungarian National Museum. A total of 149 items are on display for the public to have a taste of the reign of the House of Habsburg, one of the most influential royal houses in Hungary and Europe at large.

The collections were categorized into five parts, which reflect different aspects of the court life in Hungary including politics, fashion, daily life, weapons and religion. 

The exhibition was named after Sissi, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, for a very good reason. The empress, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, is known to the Chinese people as "Princess Sissi" – a name that caught further fame in China due to the film "Sissi" directed by Ernst Marischka and starring Romy Schneider in 1955.

Many Chinese fans were touched by Sissi's love story with Emperor Franz Joseph I in the movie, as well as her courageous pursuit of love, freedom and independence. 

The Shanghai Museum will host several lectures to introduce the historical background of the theme to the visitors. The trilogy based on Princess Sissi's life and experience will also be screened..

The museum is also organizing several activities to teach visitors how to make Hungarian artifacts. 

The exhibition will move to Beijing's Palace Museum, the Yunnan Provincial Museum and Shaanxi History Museum, before the curtains fall on September 3.