A rare book offers a glimpse into China's rich cultural heritage; a Peking Opera performance brings traditional Chinese art to life; a hands-on experience lets you discover the skills and craftsmanship behind traditional arts.
This autumn and winter, Tsinghua University Library, in collaboration with the International Students & Scholars Center and the Graduate Students' Union of Tsinghua University, presents East Meets West: Discover Chinese Civilization. From digital resources and rare book tours to traditional crafts and Peking Opera, join us to explore Chinese culture and discover how tradition continues to shape modern life.
01 Unlock the Library's Digital Resource Treasures — Join Us!
This session is all about taking your digital resource skills to the next level. From core academic databases to unique cultural collections, we'll help you unlock the library's vast digital resources all at once — with a focus on practical tips for finding and using them on your own. We'll also introduce new AI tools to help you quickly integrate into university academic life. Welcome to join us!
Time: Thursday, November 12, 3:30–5:00 PM
Venue: Room 401, West Library (Yifu Library)
Speaker: Han Lifeng
Language: English
02 A Wealth of Volumes: Special Exhibition of Rare Books of the Zi Branch from Tsinghua University Library
As a series of exhibitions of ancient rare books hosted by the Library in recent years, Wanjuan Linlang (Abundant Scrolls) follows the traditional four-part classification of Chinese classics. This year, the series turns to the Zi Branch. Through immersive commentary, we guide audiences to experience millennium-old classics up close, closely examine the editions, physical forms, and contents of rare ancient books, deeply decode the historical development and cultural value of Chinese classics, and build a bridge for exchanges between Chinese and other civilizations.
Time: Thursday, November 19, 2:00–3:00 PM (English); 3:30–4:30 PM (Chinese)
Venue: Exhibition Area, 1st Floor, North Library (Mochtar Riady Library)
Speaker: Feng Zhenyuan (English); Liu Qiang (Chinese)
03 Experience of Ancient Book Restoration and Bookbinding Crafts
Leveraging the professional resources of the Rare Books and Special Collections Department, we offer fully immersive workshops on traditional crafts. The curriculum features selected intangible cultural heritage skills, including ancient book page restoration, traditional thread-bound book binding, gold stamping, and woodblock printing. Participants can feel the warmth of history through hands-on practice and appreciate the ingenuity passed down in Chinese civilization as well as the unique wisdom of ancient book preservation.
Time: Thursday, November 19, 2:00–3:00 PM (Chinese); 3:30–4:30 PM (English)
Assembly Point: Entrance of the Old Library
Instructors: Qi Jing (Chinese); Zhang Xiaolin and Jia Xin (English)
04 Encounter Peking Opera, Embrace Its Beauty
Through expert talks, appreciation of classic repertoire, and interactive on-stage experiences, this event guides students to gain an in-depth understanding of the beauty of traditional Chinese art while presenting the cultural connotations and values of Chinese opera in a holistic manner. Covering Peking Opera's exquisite vocal techniques and stylized physical movements as well as its enchanting stagecraft, the event brings the beauty of Peking Opera within reach, enabling students to experience the distinctive appeal of Eastern aesthetics through hands-on engagement.
Time: Friday, November 27, 1:30–3:00 PM
Venue: Music Lecture Hall, West Library (Yifu Library)
Speakers: Zhou Mengmei and Hu Xinyuan, Center for Arts Education
Language: Chinese and English
A rare book opens a window to a civilization spanning thousands of years; a hands-on experience brings the beauty of traditional culture to life. Join us at Tsinghua University Library to discover Chinese culture through reading and experience, and celebrate the connections between different civilizations through exchange and sharing.
Registration
Scan the QR code below, select the activities you would like to attend, and complete the registration form.
East Meets West, Discover Chinese Civilization. We look forward to seeing you!
Host: Tsinghua University Library
Co-organizers: International Students & Scholars Center, Tsinghua University; Graduate Union, Tsinghua University
