Standing at a new starting point, how can we further arouse innovation vitality to create an open and integrated innovation ecosystem? To cultivate an innovative culture and promote the spirit of innovation, it is essential to inherit the innovative genes of China's excellent traditional culture.

"This year, we launched two limited-edition 'Salute to Our Country' seal book flash sale activities on the 'Cultural Cloud' platform, both of which were sold out within a minute. "Welcoming the spring" in red cultural venues has become an increasingly popular trend. "This allows me to better understand the stories behind the beautiful landscapes in our district and its historical heritage. I'm also very happy to share what I've learned with others," - this is the spirit of the "Little Golden Microphones" in Yangpu Riverside, who practice while learning, and lecture while experiencing. "The ambiance here is delightful, and it harmoniously complements the adjacent Theatre YOUNG, exuding a rich artistic vibe" - a "walking street" beside the theater is taking shape, and a "cultural block" is beginning to emerge…

How Yangpu shapes the people with innovative culture in the new practices of the people's city?

Red cultural venues: Growing in popularity

Ms. Wang, a 72-year-old citizen born in the Year of the Snake, woke up early on the first day of the Year of the Snake and visited the National Anthem Gallery to "seek treasures".

In recent years, many Shanghai residents, like Ms. Wang, have chosen to start the New Year by visiting red cultural venues. Initiating the Spring Festival with a red-themed journey has become a trend.

During the Spring Festival this year, the National Anthem Gallery launched the "New Year Exploration, Auspicious Snake Tracing - New Year Celebrations in the Museum". The event invited visitors to search for traces of the golden snake within the museum to obtain limited-edition seal books and snake-year exclusive seals. According to the rules, visitors could find elements related to the snake zodiac, such as words, patterns, or objects, while touring the main exhibition hall, take photos as proof, and then have the exclusive "Golden Snake Dance" commemorative seal affixed at the front desk upon finding any one of these elements.

At the end of the exhibition, Ms. Wang found the character "snake" on the record "Selected Works of Nie Er and Xian Xinghai", specifically in the song title Golden Snake Dance.

"I grew up listening to these pieces, but I always forgot who composed 'Golden Snake Dance'. Today, I finally learned this fact. Classics never go out of style!" Ms. Wang said. "On the first day of the Year of the Snake, hearing this familiar tune and learning the story behind it made me very happy. This is the best gift the National Anthem Gallery could give me for my zodiac year."

For the past two Spring Festivals, the National Anthem Gallery has released limited-edition seal books and exclusive seals, which have been highly praised by the public. This year's accompanying "New Spring Exploration, Auspicious Snake Tracing" event aims to encourage visitors to pay attention to every detail and delve into the stories of the national anthem and that era. The event has won many "likes" from citizens and tourists.

"Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China, and as a Shanghai native, I wanted to take the holiday to explore some red-themed routes and see more of our history. The National Anthem Gallery, which tells the story of the birth of our national anthem, is definitely the 'first stop' on my journey," said Mr. Zhu, a local resident.

Mr. Jiang, a resident of Yangpu and a two-year seal collector, chose Yangpu as his "must-visit destination" on the first day of the Year of the Snake to restart his "seal-collecting journey". "The seals from each venue in Shanghai are not only beautiful but also distinctive. The competition for best designs is really heating up," he said.

"This year, we launched two limited-edition 'Salute to Our Country' seal book flash sale activities on the 'Cultural Cloud' platform, both of which were sold out within a minute," said a staff member at the venue. "The public's enthusiasm and support have surprised and inspired us. Red cultural venues are becoming increasingly popular."

"Little Golden Microphones" in Yangpu Riverside

In a recent event, primary and secondary school students from various schools spent over 40 minutes visiting six checkpoints in Yangpu Riverside, strolling, taking photos, and listening to stories, all while experiencing the charm of Yangpu's century-old industrial civilization. The young visitors' guides were their peers from the "Yangpu Youth Voice" Lecture Group, who stood out as "Little Golden Microphones" in the Yangpu Youth Voice All Media Talent Show organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Yangpu District Committee, the Office of the Yangpu Committee for Promotion of Cultural and Ethical Progress, the Yangpu Education Bureau, and the CYL Yangpu District Committee.

Liu Chenyi, a student from Dashuhu Road No. 1 Primary School and a member of the "Yangpu Youth Voice" Lecture Group, found such practical activities both interesting and meaningful. "This allows me to better understand the stories behind the beautiful landscapes in our district and its historical heritage. I'm also very happy to share what I've learned with others," she said.

This year, the Office of the Yangpu Committee for Promotion of Cultural and Ethical Progress collaborated with Fudan University on the "Extracurricular Great Ideological and Political Practice Base Project for Minors". During this year's winter vacation, the "Doctoral Student Lecture Group" from Fudan University joined hands with the "Yangpu Youth Voice" Lecture Group to explore an integrated model for primary, secondary, and higher education, creating a model of "practicing while learning, and lecturing while experiencing".

The "Yangpu Youth Voice" Lecture Group conducted themed lectures and social practice activities on topics such as "People's City · Yangpu Practice" and "Original Aspiration Terminal · Red Gene" at ten "Fudan-Yangpu People's City Joint Practice Bases", including Original Aspiration Terminal on Qinhuangdao Road, Shanghai People's City Practice Exhibition Hall, National Anthem Gallery, Hudong Workers' Cultural Palace, Former Residence of Chen Wangdao, China Modern Press and Publication Museum, Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum, Changbai Neighborhood 228, Guoding Branch Road Neighborhood, and Yangshupu Power Plant Historical Park.

A head of the Office of the Yangpu Committee for Promotion of Cultural and Ethical Progress noted that the "Yangpu Youth Voice" initiative has already reached 101 primary and secondary schools and over 3,000 households across the district, drawing a large number of talented and energetic young lecturers. Looking ahead, even more young people will join the lecture group to share Yangpu's stories with a broader audience, including local residents and young people.

In recent years, Yangpu has actively encouraged young people to engage in social practice, closely integrating the moral and ideological development of minors with regional development. It has also continuously expanded the scope of educational initiatives. The "Yangpu Youth Voice" event, now in its second edition, has emerged as a vital platform for civic education, practice, and creation among minors in Yangpu.

"This kind of practical activity is a great opportunity for them to understand and grow fond of the land they live on. It also allows them to learn from excellent peers and be inspired to strive for excellence," said Ms. Zhang, a parent.

Using their youthful voices to tell the stories of urban development and to envision the future of a people's city has taken root in their hearts, Yangpu's young people are contributing to the development of this "people's city" in their own ways.

A "walking street" beside the theater is taking shape, and a "cultural block" is beginning to emerge

With its orange-yellow spray-painted ground, wafting coffee aroma, and romantic jazz music, the area has become a charming spot. Recently, Ms. Xu, a local resident, visited Theatre YOUNG not to watch a play, but to stroll around. A few weeks ago, the alley to the west of Theatre YOUNG was officially named "Youyangli Pedestrian Street", with its first shop, NELILILAND, already open for business.

"The ambiance here is delightful, and it harmoniously complements the adjacent Theatre YOUNG, exuding a rich artistic vibe," said Ms. Xu. "If you're catching a play on a weekend evening, it's lovely to come to this cozy shop beforehand and relax while browsing."

NELILILAND is a comprehensive store that brings together spatial aesthetics, dramatic arts, and lifestyle creativity. As you step inside, you are greeted by neili café by GUAY, a coffee area where warm yellow lights and wooden decor create an atmosphere of vintage elegance. Besides traditional coffee, they offer unique blends like GUAY's signature and wine-infused coffees, along with creative beverages such as butter corn latte, Italian spiced sparkling coffee, and mulled wine style coffee. Customers with pets can enjoy pet-friendly tea options.

Beyond the coffee area, you will find the "Lekai Books" independent bookstore, the AM Bicycle Theme Exhibition 2.0, and other operational spaces. Near the floor-to-ceiling windows, the popular "Y not" series of cultural and creative products from Theatre YOUNG are available for purchase, catering to the theater's enthusiasts.

NEILI is a youthful and innovative team that originated in Yangpu, consisting of planners, designers, advertisers, and other creative professionals. Attracted by the unique youthful spirit of Theatre YOUNG, NEILI opted to establish a new venture near the theater, developing an "exhibition-style integrated store" that explores sustainable urban living and becomes an integral part of the theater's experience.

Following the inauguration of NELILILAND, Theatre YOUNG has engaged in extensive collaboration with NELILILAND, formally initiating the "Artist-in-Residence Program". This program will extend an invitation to artists and groups scheduled to perform at the theater, encouraging them to partake in collaborative creation, being part of the moment when their works come to life beyond the stage. The opening of NELILILAND marks just the beginning of the "Youyangli" pedestrian street's revitalization. The recent upgrade and transformation around Theatre YOUNG have been spearheaded by Yangpu Investment Holdings Group, with the backing of the CPC Yangpu District Committee and Yangpu District People's Government. Further plans include the active introduction of new business formats.

By drawing visitors with engaging plays and activities, and then keeping them around the theater with offerings like coffee, exhibitions, and shopping, a blueprint for a dynamic, youthful, and integrated business development is taking shape in this small alley on Kongjiang Road.