A picture of Sanmao in her young age [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibition in memory of Sanmao, or Echo Chan, a famous late Chinese writer originally from Dinghai district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province opened on March 26 in the city.

Chan (1943–1991) was born in Southwest China's Chongqing. Sanmao was her pen name, which she adopted from a Chinese comic book.

Her ancestral home is in Dinghai district. At the age of six, she moved to Taiwan with her family.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Museum of Zhoushan and the local authorities of Dinghai district, with the blessing of Chan's family. Chan's elderly sister and younger brother were present at the opening ceremony.

More than 200 precious items of Chan are on display, such as her paintings, manuscripts, private treasure goods and personal photos from different times in her life, many of which have never been exhibited before. They have been donated by Chan's family.

A pair of shoes and a bag left by Sanmao are on display. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

"It will be more meaningful for the museum of Zhoushan, where her hometown is, to keep her things. Our lives will end eventually, but Sanmao lives in people's minds forever," said Chan's elder sister.  

Many fans have come from various parts of the world to commemorate the writer, bringing with them her posters and books written by her.

"I bought a book of Chan in 1986 by chance and fell in love with her writing at once. She is like a ray of sunshine that warms us and makes us believe in the existence of pure and beautiful love in the world," said Chen Li from Beijing.

Several fans of Sanmao pose a group photo at the exhibition. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The exhibition runs from March 26 to Aug 31 in the Museum of Zhoushan. 

It is the first large exhibition of Chan that Dinghai district has held since 2017 when local authorities kicked off a series of cultural activities commemorating the writer. 

According to the local authorities, they will continue to organize various such activities to promote the brand of Sanmao culture, enhance the cultural influence of the district and boost its tourism and cultural industries.