72 years ago, the People's Liberation Army and a "National Chaoguan" were in the same frame. On August 4, 1949, Changsha, Hunan Province, was peacefully liberated; on August 5, the People's Liberation Army entered Changsha. Chinese when the troops of the 46th Army of the Fourth Field Army of the People's Liberation Army entered the city of Changsha, the moment they passed the Hunan Provincial National Goods Exhibition Hall was frozen by the camera.
Chinese troops of the 46th Army of the Fourth Field Army of the People's Liberation Army entered Changsha and passed in front of the Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall (courtesy of Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall).
Located in the heart of Changsha, this nearly 90-year-old building opened on October 1, 1932. As a department store, it displays and sells goods that are very "single" - specializing in domestic goods.
In the 1930s, when it was born, China's wind and rain, internal and external troubles, a large number of foreign goods poured into the country, and domestic industry and commerce were greatly impacted. Advocating domestic products and supporting the development of domestic industry and commerce have become the consensus of the people, and people of insight and national entrepreneurs across the country have worked hard to drum and shout and take positive actions. In Hunan, Liu Tingfang, who returned from staying in the United States, was responsible for preparing for the construction of a local domestic goods exhibition hall.
The Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall adopts a colonnade design, with 16 columns side by side, which is spectacular and the hall is spacious, which "stands out" from the surrounding buildings.
Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall when it was completed in 1932 (courtesy of Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall).
Liu Tingfang, 32, as the first director, said in the "Declaration of Opening": "The domestic goods exhibition hall is responsible for promoting domestic products and guiding producers to improve domestic products on the one hand; on the other hand, it is responsible for distinguishing between domestic products and foreign goods, and making the public aware of domestic products." ”
The book "Changsha in Old Photos" compiled by Hunan literature and history research experts Chen Xianshu and Liang Xiaojin describes it like this: The front floor is a shopping mall, attracting merchants to rent, but all are restricted from selling domestic goods. The second and third floors display the famous domestic products of major cities across the country and the specialties of various regions of the province for visits and services for merchants.
In addition to being a platform for the display and sales of "national tide items" at that time, this exhibition hall also began to take shape as a large-scale shopping mall in contemporary times - restaurants, barber rooms, libraries, etc. are fully equipped, as well as theaters that play domestic movies and gardens for tourists to rest.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall has been renamed, rebuilt and restored several times, from the central store department of Hunan Provincial Department Store to the Zhongshan Road Department Store Building, what has not changed is the tradition of operating domestic goods.
"Old domestic goods", wrapping paper and other items exhibited at the Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall (taken on September 30, 2021). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yuxiu
Now, when you come to the Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall on Zhongshan Road in Changsha, 16 columns are towering and faintly glorious. Li Shuhua, head of operation of Hunan Provincial Domestic Goods Exhibition Hall and general manager of You'a Wedding, introduced that the scale and design of the domestic goods exhibition hall are no longer suitable for operation as a large-scale comprehensive shopping mall, but have taken a differentiated and professional business route with wedding as the theme, but the concept of operating domestic goods has never changed, "It is a history for us, but also a feeling." ”
Li Shuhua told reporters that in the glorious history of the domestic goods exhibition hall, there are many labor models at all levels produced from here, and the patriotic dedication represented by this building has always inspired everyone. She said: "With the rise of domestic products in recent years, the traditional Chinese culture hidden in domestic products is still continuing. (End)
Source: Xinhua News Agency