On September 12, 2026, an intangible cultural heritage experience and Chinese-foreign exhibition visiting activity, jointly organized by the Shanghai Library, the Shanghai Society for People’s Friendship Studies, the Huangpu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Jing'an People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was held at the Shanghai Library East.
Lin Jun, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Library, Su Lin, Vice President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and President of the Shanghai Society for People’s Friendship Studies, and others attended the event. Fourteen foreigners from countries including Canada, the United States, Latvia, Laos, Pakistan, and Russia, who live in the Huangpu and Jing'an districts and work at the Shanghai University of Electric Power, the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, were invited to visit the Chinese and foreign special exhibitions at the Shanghai Library East and participate in the intangible cultural heritage experience programs organized by the Shanghai Library and the Shanghai International Friendship Association.
The visit to the permanent exhibition "A Dazzling Array of Classical Books" in the Treasured Collections Library of the Shanghai Library East served as the opening session of the event. Foreign guests approached classic Chinese documentary artifacts produced in different dynasties, from paper-based manuscripts to stone rubbings, and from woodblock and movable-type printing to letterpress and lithographic printing, intuitively experiencing the development trajectory and profound heritage of fine traditional Chinese culture. The special exhibition "The Renaissance in the Study: Western Manuscripts, Printing, and Bookbinding Art from the 10th to the 17th Century" reshaped the public's understanding of the Renaissance through the display of the library’s treasured documents, allowing foreign guests to appreciate the unique charm of the Western rare books during their visit and complete an exploratory journey about ideas, creativity, and the transmission of civilization.
The Song Dynasty tea-whisking experience allowed foreign guests to learn about the history of tea culture in the Song Dynasty amid the lingering fragrance of tea, to closely experience the unique artistic conception of traditional Chinese life aesthetics, and to experience a Chinese elegant practice integrating eyes, hands, and heart. Staff from the Restoration Department of the Shanghai Library introduced the rubbings in the library’s collection and the intangible cultural heritage technique of inscribed stele rubbing, and through on-site guidance and demonstration, assisted the guests in completing their own rubbing works, allowing them to personally experience the joy of this intangible cultural heritage skill.
With cultural experience and exhibition viewing as a bond, this event built a physical platform for international friends in Shanghai to gain an in-depth understanding of the traditional Chinese culture and experience exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations. In the future, the Shanghai Library will try to create more cultural exchange activities for international friends in Shanghai, helping to advance Shanghai's development as an international cultural metropolis.
Leaders from the Shanghai Society for People’s Friendship Studies, the West Nanjing Road Neighborhood of the Jing'an District, the Office of the Huangpu District People's Government, and the District Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries attended the event.
