Liu Hulan museum's visitor count crosses 20 million since its opening

Since its opening in 1957, the Liu Hulan Memorial Hall in Wenshui county, Shanxi province, has received more than 20 million visitors from home and abroad, according to Duan Xiaodong, the museum's director. This is not surprising because Liu Hulan, who sacrificed herself before the age of 15 during the War of Liberation (1946-49), is one of the country's well-known revolutionary heroines, her nephew, Liu Junxiang, told China Daily.

Liu was born into a small farming family on Oct 8, 1932, in Yunzhouxi village in Wenshui. That village, which had a population of over 1000, was renamed Liu Hulan village in 1971, serving as a living classroom for patriotic education for youth nationwide.

As the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) erupted, she was influenced by the Communist Party of China's teachings and actively joined its revolutionary activities, showing remarkable courage and dedication.

In June 1946, at the age of just 14, Liu was approved as a probationary member of the Party. However, tragedy struck on Jan 12, 1947, when she was betrayed and captured by the Kuomintang force. She faced death bravely at the tender age of 15, embodying the fearless spirit of a true revolutionary.

In honor of her bravery, the Central Committee of the CPC posthumously recognized her as an official Party member on August 1, 1947.

The memorial hall, established in the village with a total area of 79,000 square meters, stands as a testament to her legacy. It houses 74 of Liu's personal belongings, along with paintings, sculptures, photos, and documents depicting her life story, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of her heroic deeds, Duan said.

He emphasized the importance of enhancing the memorial hall's facilities and services to engage more young people in understanding Liu's spirit in the modern era.

In 2009, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Liu Hulan was recognized as one of the "100 Heroes and Role Models Who Made Outstanding Contributions to the Establishment of New China".

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn