Authors’ manuscripts and letters put on display at Putuo Library
Print Edition
Like the community reading clubs, there are many venues in Putuo where people can immerse themselves in books, enjoy and share the pleasure of reading.
Putuo Library is one of the places. It is a storehouse of cultural treasures from Shanghai — one of the birthplaces of contemporary Chinese literature — and from all around the country. It also is a place where the public can see these treasures, through an exhibition hall that displays manuscripts by authors from Shanghai and elsewhere, as well as through artwork exhibitions, readings, broadcasts and documentaries.
The library’s exhibitions include not only valuable manuscripts, but also letters, photos and research materials to provide a comprehensive view of authors including Ba Jin (pen name of Li Yaotang, 1904-2005, one of the most important Chinese writers of the 20th century) and Mo Yan, 2012 Nobel Prize winner in Literature,
The library is also the research center for Ba Jin as well as hosting activities for the Shanghai Writers Association.
In the four years since it opened, the library has gathered 365 manuscripts from 313 authors and 1,487 signed copies. The library also is building an archive of 100 authors.
The archive initiative involves a search for 100 active Shanghai authors, and documents their stories by shooting interview footage. Archivists have completed work on six authors, including Xu Kailei, Xu Zhongyu, Qian Gurong, Zhao Lihong, Ren Daxing and Bai Hua. The archive of Xu Kailei was especially precious as the 90-year-old author who wrote the biography of Ba Jin passed away shortly afterward.
Forums and symposiums following special exhibitions are great ways to get to know the authors and topics in depth. The library plans an average of two exhibitions every year.
The library also incorporates other forms of interpretation like readings, inviting authors and hosts, and radio broadcasts. Last year, female authors from Shanghai including Wang Xiaoying, Wang Zhousheng, Kong Mingzhu, Feng Ling, Sun Wei and Sun Xiaoqi read their latest works at the library as well as those listening via radio FM 103.7.
Last year during the Suzhou Creek Arts Festival, an exhibition featuring over 190 works by academicians from Chinese Academy of Science and Chinese Academy of Engineering was held. The library spent two years collecting paintings and calligraphy pieces not known by most people.
Artwork by geologist Zhu Kezhen (also known as Coching Chu, 1890-1974) and mathematician Su Buqing (1902-2003) were brought to audiences who are more familiar with their scientific accomplishments. A portfolio of the collection also was published.
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