Happy New Year, everyone!
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Hey guys!
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
What’s that? You don't know me?
How come?
Believe it or not, I'm actually something of a "celebrity" at our museum.
Now I'm going to tell you my story.
Just hear me out!
As a man who has lived for more than a thousand years, I’d love it if you could stop and chat, just for fun.
诸位缓行留步，且听我千把岁小老儿摆个龙门阵，乐呵乐呵！
Well, it all started nearly two thousand years ago, when the Han Dynasty was at its peak. During that time the world was peaceful, the country was prosperous and the people were strong. What a wonderful time that was! See the knot on the headband on my forehead? See the round drum in my hand? See the keyura jewelry on my arm? See the colorful... Haha, I almost forgot! My body was once brightly painted, but sadly the colors faded over time. What a pity!
话说近两千年前，正当汉兴的时候，天下太平，国富民强，那也是个大好年景！瞧见咱头顶的花结了没有，瞧见咱手里的圆鼓没有，瞧见咱胳膊上的璎珞没有，瞧见咱身上……哦哈哈，咱身上本来也是彩绘的，可惜可惜，年头久了，都掉了。
Well, enough about that. You may not know that there is a common profession for little old men like me who have quick minds and can make witty remarks. We’re called “俳优” (pai you, comedians), and our performances are called “倡优戏” (chang you xi, or chang you drama). Our performances don’t stick to one pattern. They depend purely on improvisation. If the audience laughs repeatedly throughout the play, then we’ve done our job! We comedians not only make fun to amuse people, we also have a place in the famous work Records of the Grand Historian. The volume The Biographies of Wits and Humorists recorded the best two comedians among us, Meng and Zhan.
哎，不说这！各位看官可能不知，像小老儿这般，头脑灵活、会说俏皮话的，也有个说得上名的行当——“俳优”，咱俳优演的叫“倡优戏”，演的时候不拘一格，端看演出者随机应变。若是逗得那观众笑声连连，这戏也就成啦！别看咱俳优就会逗乐，那大名鼎鼎的《史记》里，可也有咱一席之地，其中《滑稽列传》就讲到了咱俳优中的佼佼者优孟和优旃。
Speaking of which, we comedians not only amuse the common people, we also perform for the nobility! I’m afraid that I might have been made under the instruction of a noble who liked chang you drama. Well just look at these bumps and hollows on my back, it shows that I was probably handmade by a craftsman. Perhaps the noble still wants to listen to my witty remarks together with a bunch of his friends, even though they’re long gone.
说起来，咱俳优不仅给平民百姓逗乐，也给达官贵人演戏呐！小老儿我啊，恐怕就是哪家喜欢倡优戏的贵人命人烧成的呐。您瞧我背上这坑坑洼洼的，大概还是匠人手工制成。想来，贵人是想要百年之后，还能与高朋满座听小老儿我妙语解颐啊。
Today, if you’re hoping to meet me in person then nothing could be simpler. I’ll be waiting for you at the permanent exhibition “Ancient China” in the National Museum of China. Come and visit, I’ll meet you there!
今天，要是您想亲眼见见小老儿我，那可简单，我就在中国国家博物馆“古代中国”基本陈列等着您！咱不见不散呐！
Surprise!
You must be tired after hearing my long story.
To show my gratitude, I’m giving away a 2022 NMC Calender!
Interested?
The first follower who sends me a private message with New Year’s wishes and greetings for our museum will be the winner!
What are you waiting for?
Go to "Discover" > "Top Stories" > "Wow"