Tea is a cultural code deeply rooted in the DNA of the Chinese people, with millennial Oriental wisdom flowing through every sip. When a library adorned with colorful-glazed tiles encounters a cultural class steeped in the fragrance of tea, what distinctive cultural portrait will emerge from this timeless gathering of tea and literature?

In mid-March, the second-floor interactive area of Yangpu Library was enveloped in the delightful scents of tea and books. Here, a spectacular cultural event - the "Discover Fun in Yangpu, Share the Flavor of Chinese Tea" Creative Reading Promotion Event was unfolding with vitality.

Guided by the Yangpu Culture and Tourism Administration (Yangpu Cultural Heritage Administration), organized by Yangpu Library, this event brought together international students from the International Cultural Exchange School, representing seven countries including Japan, Russia, South Korea, and Malaysia. They joined local readers in a lively celebration. In this gathering, everyone was deeply engaged in the interplay of books and tea, delving into the rich allure of Chinese tea culture and bringing the idea of "Sharing the Flavor of Chinese Tea" to life.

Tea and Books: A Perfect Match of Tea and Ink

Kicking off with the distinctive Shanghai tea culture, this event explored the theme of "one city, one tea", spotlighting a different city and its unique tea in each session. The inaugural event transported the participants to Yixing, a charming cultural town in Jiangnan, to savor the rich aroma of Yixing black tea. In the book recommendation session, a librarian highlighted The Prosperity and Desolation of Jiangnan by Xu Feng, a prominent local writer from Yixing. Grounded in Yixing, this work focuses on the historical figures and cultural spirit of the Jiangnan region. It uses character portraits to connect various dimensions, such as history, field research, and the reconstruction of historical materials, while exploring the region's rich history and cultural depth from geographical and spiritual angles. This comprehensive approach has captivated the audience, sparking their deep interest in the cultural heritage of Jiangnan.

Enduring Tea Fragrance Saturates Millennial Culture

In the tea culture sharing session, Zheng Ziwen from the Shanghai Tea Association delved into the rich history, cultural significance, and art of tasting Yixing black tea. A special tea tasting segment featured a tea master skillfully brewing the tea, with leaves unfurling gracefully in the water and emitting an enchanting fragrance. The international students and local readers gathered around, sipping the tea that embodies a millennium of history, and experiencing the depth of time through its rich aroma.

The event also included a special calligraphy writing session. With the instructors' patient guidance, the international students picked up calligraphy brushes and carefully wrote Chinese phrases like "love tea", "tea enthusiast", and "tea lovers find harmony in the world". Their concentrated looks and tentative yet enthusiastic brushwork appeared to express their affection for Chinese culture. Many of them described writing Chinese characters as a novel experience. It was both fun and enriching to savor the tea fragrance while learning about Chinese culture. Through interactions, they not only gained a deeper insight into Chinese tea culture but also truly felt the universal appeal of tea as a global language.

As the event drew to a close, the enthusiasm of the participants lingered on. It was more than just a fusion of reading and tea culture; it was a vibrant celebration of cross-cultural exchange. Through the simple yet profound act of sharing a cup of Chinese tea, people from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds came together. They immersed themselves in the richness of Chinese traditional culture, forging new friendships and deepening their mutual understanding.

Moving forward, Yangpu Culture & Tourism will prioritize inbound tourism for international visitors, further enrich the "Discover Fun in Yangpu" brand, collaborate with cultural masters, and link up cultural landmarks. It will keep launching immersive cultural and tourism experiences that invite exploration on foot, engagement through interaction, and lasting memories. By fostering an innovative ecosystem that blends diverse fields and promotes cultural coexistence, Yangpu will turn its century-old industrial legacy into a world-class tourist hotspot, inviting more foreign tourists to "meet China, discover Shanghai, and have fun in Yangpu".