On May 21, 2025, the launching ceremony of the “Ancient Books Preservation Course on Campus” in Liaoning and the exhibition “Langhuan Piaoxiang — Achievements of Key Ancient Books Protection Units in Liaoning Province” were held at the Puhe Campus of Liaoning University (LNU).
The event was jointly hosted by the National Center for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, the Liaoning Provincial Public Cultural Service Center, and Liaoning University, and was organized by the Liaoning Provincial Library (Liaoning Provincial Ancient Books Protection Center) and the LNU Library, with the collaboration of several universities in Liaoning Province.
The ceremony was attended by numerous leaders and experts from the National Center for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, the National Library of China, the China Ancient Books Protection Association, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission’s National Office for Compilation and Publication of Ancient Books of Ethnic Minorities, the Liaoning Provincial Public Cultural Service Center, the Liaoning Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee, the Liaoning Provincial Library, and Shenyang University of Technology, among others. More than 500 faculty members and students from Liaoning University participated in the event.
This activity aims to thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the important instructions by the General Secretary Xi Jinping on inheriting and developing excellent traditional Chinese culture, promote the development of ancient book protection work in the new era and cultivate talents in ancient book preservation.
Vice President Shi Baodong of Liaoning University, Vice President Xia Mingchao of Shenyang University of Technology, Deputy Director of the Liaoning Provincial Public Cultural Service Center and Director of the Liaoning Provincial Museum Wang Xiaowen, and Deputy Director of the National Ancient Books Protection Center Office Wang Pei delivered speeches respectively.
Amid the enthusiastic countdown of faculty and students, the attending guests jointly pulled the launch device. As the scroll slowly unfurled, the “Ancient Book Protection Course on Campus” event of Liaoning was officially launched.
The event also invited Mr. Zhang Zhiqing, former Executive Deputy Director of the National Library of China, former Deputy Director of the National Centre for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, and current Executive Vice President of the Ancient Books Preservation and Conservation Association, to deliver the first keynote lecture — Preserving the Beauty of Ancient Books.
Taking “the beauty of ancient books” as his starting point and integrating the characteristics of ancient book preservation in the new era, he presented a captivating lecture on the specialized knowledge of ancient texts. He introduced the latest advancements in ancient book conservation, showcased the unique charm of rare and precious texts, and emphasized the necessity of protecting these cultural treasures — allowing the audience to appreciate the profound history and brilliance embodied in these works. He encouraged young students to cultivate an eye for discovering the beauty of ancient books and preserve their splendor for future generations.
After the lecture, the attending guests, along with faculty and students from Liaoning University, visited the exhibition titled “Langhuan Piaoxiang: Achievements of Key Ancient Book Preservation Units in Liaoning Province”. Under the guidance of restorers from the Liaoning Provincial Library, they immersed themselves in hands-on activities such as woodblock printing, stone rubbing, multi-color overprinting, and bookmark crafting.
Following the official launch of the “Ancient Books Protection Course on Campus” Liaoning session at Liaoning University, this initiative will provide a platform for young students to acquire knowledge about ancient text preservation. It aims to spark students’ interest and enthusiasm in this field, cultivating new talents for the cause of ancient book protection.
