On April 1, Guizhou University hosted the event “Our Traditional Festivals: Literary Masters Enter Campus & Impressions of Qingming Book Seminar.” The gathering brought together renowned authors, literary critics, and publishing professionals from across China to engage with students on the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese festival culture. The event was co-organized by Guizhou Publishing Group, Guizhou University, and Guizhou Radio and Television Station.
Among the attendees were Wang Yan, Party Secretary and Chairman of Guizhou Publishing Group; Wang Dan, Deputy Director of Guizhou Radio and Television Station; Wang Xu, Deputy General Manager of Guizhou Publishing Group; Yang Wei, Party Secretary of Guizhou University; and Chen Yanbo, Vice President of Guizhou University.
Yang Wei emphasized that reading is not just a way to acquire knowledge, but also a meaningful dialogue with the past and a spiritual connection with civilization. He highlighted the university’s efforts to create a “reading campus,” including initiatives like the Xishan Reading Club, classic literature recitations, and book-sharing events. These programs aim to make reading a daily habit and to embed the values of traditional literature into students' lives. He expressed hope that this event would inspire students to gain wisdom through reading and spark new ideas through discussion—helping traditional Chinese culture thrive through creative renewal.
Wang Yan introduced Impressions of Qingming as the fourth installment in the Impressions book series, created by Guizhou Publishing Group to promote the creative transformation and development of Chinese cultural heritage. “This event is not just a literary gathering—it’s a meaningful exchange of ideas about preserving and revitalizing traditional culture,” he said. “We’re committed to continuing this work and believe that, through our shared efforts, traditional Chinese culture will gain new vitality.”
During the event, a launch ceremony was held for the new book Impressions of Qingming: Literary Masters Discuss Traditional Chinese Festivals. Edited by Li Hao—professor at Hebei Normal University, Vice Chairman of the Hebei Writers Association, and recipient of the Lu Xun Literary Prize—the book delves into the cultural essence of the Qingming Festival through examinations of historical practices such as the Cold Food Festival's fire prohibition customs, spring outings, and willow-planting traditions, while also interpreting deeper themes such as "reverence for ancestors" and the philosophical idea of harmony between humans and nature. The book invites readers to reflect on the meaning of tradition in the modern world.
Prominent authors and critics including Lu Xun Literary Prize winners Lei Pingyang and Hu Xuewen, Junma Award recipients Bao Zhuo and Xiao Qin, and critic Zhang Yanmei joined the discussion, both in person and via video. Writers such as Xu Zechen, Wang Guoping, Liu Jiandong, and Long Yi also contributed to the seminar. The speakers emphasized that traditional Chinese festivals contain valuable cultural, astronomical, and geographic knowledge. They praised Impressions of Qingming for preserving the solemnity of ancient rituals while also offering a fresh, modern interpretation. With its blend of cultural depth and creative expression, the book encourages readers to rediscover the essence of traditional festivals in today’s globalized world.
As part of the event, Guizhou Publishing Group donated copies of its Impressions series—including Impressions of Spring Festival, Impressions of Mid-Autumn, Impressions of Double Ninth, and Impressions of Qingming—to Guizhou University.
Editors: Zhang Chan &Ning Yumei
Chief Editor: Li Xufeng
Senior Editor: Ding Long
Translator: Nie Xiaoxia
