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Communication and Resonance: A Showcase of Cultural Vitality

In Wangmantian Village, remnants of traditional Huizhou villages are ubiquitous. “Here, notices honoring individuals who have contributed to village affairs are posted on walls, written in neat brush strokes on red paper. Community gatherings and meetings frequently take place in the ancestral hall, and even our team members were warmly welcomed to participate.” 

The team’s daily routine in Wangmantian Village was simple yet fulfilling: we began each day with a refreshing wash by the river, conducted field research along its banks during the day, and recorded our observations and experiences both in text and images by night. As the sluice gates opened, the soothing sound of flowing water lulled us to sleep. After ten days of the mountain life, the team’s SD cards were filled with captivating images of the village scenery and lantern show. The resulting research report spanned 20 pages, detailing their findings and reflections. These materials were meticulously compiled into a series of highly engaging WeChat public account posts, an emotionally charged documentary, and a vivid, elegant brochure. 

The villagers actively promoted their cultural heritage through various channels, and our team was equally passionate about sharing the story of the fish lanterns. “Xiao Wu, a young man from Hangzhou, left a lasting impression on us. Drawn by the fascination of the fish lantern culture, he now resides in the village, devoting himself to cultural and creative design and sales. During the Lantern Festival, he even engaged in live broadcasts to showcase the village’s traditions.” Xiao Wu and Chen Xianjie are of the same age, and the majority of visitors who attended the fish lantern festival were also young people of similar age. “The charm and depth of folk customs attracted us like a magnet. Recognizing this, our team aimed not only to trace the roots of these traditions but also to disseminate our discoveries.”

Documentary created by members of the team

On March 15, 2024, the “Rural Aesthetic Outreach - Tsinghua University Student Social Aesthetic Practice Achievement Exhibition,” organized by the AADTHU Youth League Committee, opened in Block A Exhibition Hall of AADTHU. Poems penned by students involved in our volunteer teaching program were displayed like small flags. Apart from the brochure and documentary about the fish lanterns, the exhibition hall featured a large fish replicated by Chen Xianjie and his team using local craftsmanship.

Suspended prominently, it served as a testament to the village’s cultural heritage. The exhibition also featured projects from Hunan, Chongqing, Shanxi, and other regions, most of which centered around rural revitalization and aesthetic education. The exhibition attracted a diverse audience, including public sector staff, university faculty and students from both within and outside Beijing, class and group collectives, and parents accompanied by their children. Many visitors left heartfelt messages on the comment board at the exhibition’s conclusion. 

Poetry and Big Fish at the Exhibition Venue

The poems and the large fish at the exhibition site generated ripples that resonated far and wide. 

The exhibition garnered significant attention from across the vast land of our motherland. By crossing mountains and seas and transcending cultural boundaries, we have witnessed how art serves as a bridge connecting tradition and modernity, self and the world. These young explorers, armed with unique perspectives and innovative actions, embody the academy’s philosophy of “art for life and design for people’s livelihood,” presenting a beautiful response of young people to the new era of “great aesthetic education.”

Site of Rural Aesthetic Outreach Exhibition