On October 15, the eighth annual Golden Autumn Book Expo took place at Fudan University’s Li Zhaoji Library in the Jiangwan Campus, featuring an impressive array of historical letters, family genealogies, and artifacts from collectors like Li Shuangjie.
This year’s theme, “Tracing Roots Through Classic Texts,” highlighted various exhibits from the Fudan University Archives, Li Shuangjie, Tong Zhin, Cui Xiong, and Wang Yi, showcasing family letters, genealogies, treasured ink, and an impressive selection of paper and printing artifacts from various dynasties in Chinese history. Notably, the family letters from former Fudan President Su Buqing displayed elegant, yellowed pages, with deep blue pen markings that bled through the paper.
Attendees were particularly captivated by the diverse family genealogies on display from Li Shuangjie, including the “Yang Family Supplementary Direct Descendant Genealogy,” measuring 16.7 centimeters in length and 10.6 centimeters in width. Wang Yi contributed stunning ink drawings such as “Sixteen Immortals” and “Tang Yin’s Paintings,” featuring exquisite detail and lifelike representations.
Established in 2017, the Golden Autumn Book Expo has become a significant platform for preserving and promoting Chinese cultural heritage.
In the traditional crafts section, Fudan University instructors and their students showcased skills in ancient bookbinding, fan painting, insect and bird seal carving, papermaking, and stone rubbings. Additionally, the Chinese Ancient Books Preservation Research Institute engaged students and faculty in hands-on experiences such as traditional woodblock printing, stitched bookbinding, and wax rubbing.
A donation ceremony was also held on the same day at the Fudan University Institute of Calligraphy and Painting Art. Founded to leverage the university’s diverse disciplines, the institute fosters a creative intersection of humanities, arts, and technology through rich educational activities and art exhibitions, revitalizing ancient art forms like stone inscriptions and paintings.
During the donation ceremony for the “Letters from Feng Qiyong to Wang Shaoshi,” Ms. Wang Wen and Ms. Wang Yun proudly represented their father, Wang Shaoshi, by donating over 200 valuable letters. These letters not only capture the profound friendship between two masters but also serve as treasures in the realm of Chinese calligraphy, becoming essential resources for Fudan’s students and faculty.
Following the donation, the institute plans to publish a collection titled “Letters Between Stones — A Collection of Letters from Feng Qiyong to Wang Shaoshi,” supported by the Calligraphy and Painting Art Research Fund. Wang Shaoshi has a long-standing connection with Fudan University, having previously donated an extensive collection of his artistic achievements, including self-carved stamps and related materials centered around “Dream of the Red Chamber” in 2018.
