On the afternoon of April 8, the Library, in collaboration with student associations and the Student Union, hosted a themed reading activity titled “Tracing Roots and Preserving Cultural Heritage: Faculty and Students Read The Hundred Family Surnames Together” at China Garden. Vice President Zhao Yuxin attended the event, with more than 60 faculty members and students participating in this cultural experience.

Zhao Yuxin noted that the Library has adopted innovative approaches to promoting traditional culture and reading, with creative formats and rich content, which play a positive role in campus cultural education and heritage preservation.

Xie Linhui, Director of the Library, stated that as the Ancestral Worship Ceremony at the Yellow Emperor’s Hometown approaches, this activity is rooted in Xinzheng and Henan, fully leveraging the university library’s role in cultural inheritance and education. Using The Hundred Family Surnames as an entry point, the event guided participants to explore the origins of surnames, trace historical evolution, and reflect on family heritage, thereby strengthening cultural identity and confidence.

During the event, Han Aifang from the School of Physical Education and Wu Yixuan, a student from Boya Residential College, shared insights in a dialogue format, discussing the family traditions and scholarly legacy of Han Yu, and highlighting the spirit and cultural values embedded in traditional Chinese heritage. In the classic recitation session, all participants read The Hundred Family Surnames together, experiencing the cultural charm of this traditional foundational text. In the calligraphy session titled “Expressing Sentiments Through Brush and Ink,” faculty and students wrote their names using hard pens, gaining a deeper appreciation of surname culture through the art of writing. At the conclusion of the event, participants visited the Hundred Family Surnames Corridor, searched for their surnames, and signed their names as a keepsake.

The activity effectively integrated surname culture interpretation, classic recitation, calligraphy experience, and cultural exchange, creating an immersive traditional culture classroom. It promoted the appreciation of traditional culture on campus and fostered a deeper cultural identity and sense of belonging among students. The event also enriched campus cultural life and highlighted the Library’s important role in educating and inspiring through culture.