2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Jin Yong. To celebrate the 100th anniversary and pay tribute to the 147th anniversary of Zhejiang University, the library held a series of activities, bringing the martial world depicted in Jin Yong's works and his legendary life story to the International Campus.
On May 21, the "Commemorative Exhibition for the 100th Anniversary of Mr. Jin Yong's Birth" was held in the library’s atrium. The exhibition showcased the precious historical photos, including those from Mr. Jin Yong's youth, his time in his hometown of Haining, at Zhejiang University, in Hangzhou and other regions. These images not only recorded Mr. Jin Yong's life experiences but also perfectly displayed his literary and academic achievement. The exhibition has attracted numerous readers to view and perceive the indomitability, courage, and strong patriotism for the country behind Mr. Jin Yong's martial world.
Figure 1. The scene at the Commemorative Exhibition for the 100th Anniversary of Mr. Jin Yong's Birth
Figure 2. People stopped by to read the content carefully
On the evening of May 22, a lecture themed "Jin Yong's Novels and Chinese Traditional Culture" was co-hosted by the library, the Zhang Zongxiang Memorial Institute, the Campus YReaders Club, and the Trade Union of International Campus. The associate professor Gu Dapeng from the Chinese Department of ZISU (Zhejiang International Studies University) was invited to deliver the lecture. She made an excellent literary discussion on Mr. Jin Yong's brilliant works and chivalrous spirit, attracting numerous readers from both inside and outside the international campus.
Figure 3. Mr. Qu Haidong speaking as the Guest
Figure4. Associate Professor Gu Dapeng delivering the lecture
Professor Gu Dapeng vividly recounted the family history of Mr. Jin Yong, using historical evidence and visual aids to illustrate the grandeur and prosperous Cha’s family in history. The spirit of chivalry, passed down from his ancestors, was inherited by Mr. Jin Yong and transformed into his remarkable literary works, creating numbers of patriotic and virtuous heroes in the martial world. She then used familiar characters and martial arts from Jin Yong's novels as examples to analyze their historical origins and meanings. By chronologically arranging the historical backgrounds of Mr. Jin Yong’s works, she revealed the extensive scope of his martial narratives, spanning from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Qing Dynasty. The historical analysis demonstrated Mr. Jin Yong’s profound research into Chinese historical culture, leaving the audience in awe.
Figure 5. Audiences listening to the lecture
Figure 6. Group photo of the presenters and the guest audiences
The event catered to the readers' interests by using Mr. Jin Yong's martial arts novels as a clue to integrate Chinese history, Chinese cultural studies, and Haining culture. In the future, the library will continue to focus on readers’ needs and organize various cultural activities.
Content and Photos: Zhu Linyi
Translation: Chen Haowen