Cobblestone paths wind through the scene, with wisps of smoke rising from old shopfronts. The sound of opera singing blends with readings by amateur enthusiasts, while the aroma of ink permeates a book market. A circular book fair gives old books new life, and a community poetry wall showcases local calligraphy. On April 18, Nanquan Old Street in the Binhu District was enveloped in a strong literary atmosphere as Wuxi City's "Public Reading Activity Week" and the 19th Taihu Reading Month officially commenced. The cultural open week for Nanquan Old Street's "Kaihua Book Lane" also kicked off simultaneously.
Flipping through pages and exploring Wuxi through text allows for connections through words and encounters in the streets. Using the first "Public Reading Activity Week" as a platform and themed "Cherishing Books to Inherit Culture, Reading Together to Start a New Journey," the city is promoting the implementation of the "Public Reading Promotion Regulations" and exploring innovative "AI + Reading" practices. The aim is to integrate reading into daily life and embed it into the urban fabric.
Nanquan, historically known as "Kaihua," thrived as a market in the Song and Ming dynasties and developed into a street during the Ming and Qing periods. Today, "Kaihua Book Lane" connects 22 sites and 18 cultural landmarks, transforming the old street into a multidimensional book that is "audible, writable, viewable, readable, and explorable."
Seven themed micro-exhibitions were unveiled, featuring local rural painters using brush and ink to depict nostalgia, alongside live demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage like rubbings and paper-cutting. The community poetry wall and poetry display area were filled with works by local enthusiasts, attracting passersby who stopped to appreciate them and leave comments. Open-air movies, parent-child research activities, and music gatherings took place in rotation, creating resonance between traditional arts and public expression.
From ancient book collections to digital reading, and from scholarly atmospheres in schools to community reading rooms, a culture of reading has become the most distinct characteristic of Wuxi. "I've lived in Nanquan for decades, and this is the first time I've felt the old street has such a strong cultural vibe!" remarked Mr. Li, a retired teacher, as he paused before the "Lakeside Nostalgia" art exhibition. He noted that the gathering of paintings, calligraphy, old objects, and intangible heritage skills allows people to stroll, learn, and read simultaneously, turning daily life into poetry. This kind of public reading, he said, truly resonates with ordinary citizens.
"You can explore the old street while also enjoying free book reading and participating in reading sessions—it's perfect for a weekend outing with the kids!" said a young resident, Mr. Zhang. He added that amateur reading sessions give ordinary people a platform, and the circular book market allows old books to circulate, making reading an accessible urban lifestyle rather than a niche hobby.
Wuxi, a renowned city in Jiangnan, boasts a long cultural heritage and a sustained literary atmosphere. From the timeless echoes of "the sound of wind, rain, and reading" at the Donglin Academy to the scholarly elegance of Mr. Qian Zhongshu, who was "enamored with books," a deep respect for culture and education is ingrained in the city's character.
The opening ceremony began with a poetic and artistic performance titled "Wuxi in Poetry." Boutique bookstores such as Canal Bookstore, Minerva Books, and Sinan Bookstore, along with public reading organizations like Motu Study and Old John Picture Book House, serve as vibrant nodes in the city's reading network, extending literary services to residents' doorsteps.
In line with the Regulations' requirements to improve reading facilities, cultivate reading organizations, and optimize content supply, a series of distinctive reading brand projects were collectively released on-site. Annual recommended book lists were also introduced, ensuring Wuxi residents have "spaces to read, activities to join, and good books to choose from."
"Reading is the most accessible form of nobility." Since the "Public Reading Spring Breeze Initiative" launched before the Spring Festival, all sectors of society have actively participated. Nearly five thousand donated books will be directed to cooperative regions in eastern and western China, such as Yan'an and Haidong, as well as to local special needs groups, spreading the warmth of reading through public welfare.
The children's situational drama "Reading—A Dialogue with Civilization," using the Doushan archaeological site as a clue, guided children to explore their hometown's history. The "AI + Reading" promotion plan and the "Zhongshu·Read with a Scan" digital platform were simultaneously released, creating channels for book recommendations, venue navigation, and seamless access to cloud resources, thereby building inclusive and convenient new reading scenarios.
"The old street has both a lively atmosphere and a scholarly vibe; just strolling through it calms the mind!" said Ms. Wang, a citizen exploring the book market with her child. She smiled, noting that they had originally come for snacks but were drawn in by the circular book fair and amateur reading sessions. Her child was so captivated by an old book they couldn't put it down, demonstrating that such reading environments can be more engaging than traditional study rooms.
From a single event to an entire book lane, and from a city filled with literary culture to a community-driven initiative, Wuxi, the "City of Books," is interpreting the essence of public reading in the new era through rich scenarios, broad participation, and vibrant expression. A relevant official from the Municipal Party Committee's Propaganda Department stated that this event is both a concentrated showcase of public reading efforts and an innovative practice in implementing the Regulations. By linking the opening ceremony with the open week, reading is moving "from between the pages to between the streets," shifting from "one-way promotion" to "community-wide co-creation," allowing literary culture and daily life to coexist and making reading Wuxi's most captivating urban landscape.
Comments