The “Red Leaves Season” Activity Sets off a Wave of Photography and Poetry

On November 3,the Feng Jicai Research Institute of Arts and Literatureat Tianjin University hosted photography and poetry lovers for the “2019 Red Leaves Season”. The participants congregated by the bronze statue of TJU alumnus – poet Xu Zhimo, which was full of poetic and pictorial splendor. There, they enjoyed masterpieces, poetry recitations, the collection of red leaves, snapping pictures of the magnificent autumn scenery, and relishing in the poetic nature and beautiful campus life accompanied by music.

Besides the crabapple blossoms in spring, Tianjin University has also been blessed with the red leaves of autumn. During this season, the walls of green vines at the Feng Jicai Institute change into a spectacular red ocean, which is rated as one of the national "top ten campus scenes" by netizens. On the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Institute, the bronze statue of the TJU alumnus – poet Xu Zhimo, was erected to bring the “spirit of poetry” to the campus. The beautiful red leaves, the soul of poetry, the harmony between man and nature and the exquisiteness of the campus attracted teachers, students and the public to stop and admire the view. This year, the Institute launched the“2019 Red Leaves Season·photography and poetry collection activity”, inviting people to pick up red leaves, take photos andcomposepoems. Hundreds of poems and photos poured into the mailbox. The contributors included not only teachers and students from all schools and departments of Tianjin University, but also photography and poetry lovers from all walks of life. Their works, from different perspectives, have magnified the beauty of the Institute and sealed the red leaves in the memory of the campus.

In the afternoon, the Peiyang Chorus gathered in front of the bronze statue of Xu Zhimo and started the activity with music. The Institute was full of laughter – people left their names on the signature board; everyone commented on excellent photography, poetry, and pasted their own handwritten works at the red leaf poetry wall. All of a sudden, the crowd broke into a song, During the activity, Feng Jicai, famous writer and Dean of the Feng Jicai Research Institute of Arts and Literature, and Lei Ming, Deputy Secretary of the Party committee of Tianjin University, presented awards to 5 winners of the best photography award and 5 winners of the best poetry award. Teachers and students of Tianjin University, representatives of the public, and two winners of the poetry award took to the stage to recite classic poems of autumn and red leaves, as well as the winning poems. The Peiyang Chorus, Peiyang Guitar Association and Peiyang Guqin Club added to the fun with their wonderful performances. In photography, poetry and music, everyone participated in the discovery and expression of beauty, felt nature and enjoyed campus life.

Feng Jicai put forward the aesthetic educational concept of “love beauty, campus and nature”, hoping to develop the unique advantages and role of the construction of campus culture of humanities in Tianjin University, which is famous for its science and engineering. Through a series of cultural activities such as Peiyang Cultural Festival, Dashu Forum, Heritage Day and Red Leaf Season, the Institute has bridged science and art, humanity and nature, and constantly enriched and nourished the cultural life and aesthetic experience of TJU students.

By: Cui Jingyue

Editors: Harlan Haverback, Sun Xiaofang