2023 Nanjing Week literature salon inspires young people

A book-sharing salon, as part of the 2023 Nanjing Week, was held recently in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province.

Zhu Yingchun, Chinese book designer, and Tracy Subisak, American best-selling children's book writer, co-hosted the salon with the participation of students from universities in Nanjing.  

Zhu Yingchun said he participated in the 2023 "Nanjing Week" in the U.S. city of Boston from Nov. 6 to 12 and displayed his 13-year collection of paintings, poems, calligraphy, and imagery about bugs at the "See Nanjing" cultural exhibition. 

Zhu said, "When I was introducing my artwork about bugs, they were fascinated by the idea that bugs can be turned into poems, paintings and even film." 

He said he spent much time observing bugs when working at Nanjing Normal University. From bug observation in Nanjing to bug artwork in Boston, the cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. are profound, he added. 

At the salon, the co-host Tracy Subisak shared her childhood story. She told the students that Portland in the U.S. has a variety of snails.

"From the perspective of child education," she said, "I thought about creating works that teach people how to harmonize with nature and be friends with other species. I created the picture book 'Sorry, Snail'."

During the event, the two hosts also had face-to-face exchanges with the students in the fields of creation and design, among others. 

A student from Nanjing Normal University, said, "I also want to become a 'Nature Observer' artist like Mr. Zhu in the future."  

In August, over 20 young students from Chinese and American universities conducted on-site research in Nanjing, using innovative and creative methods to showcase the beautiful scenery of Nanjing to the world.