If you visited the Library of the Hsi Building in April, you might have encountered a unique scene. The library was transformed into a small-scale Xuan Paper museum, showcasing materials and tools for Xuan Paper making, numerous popular science exhibition panels, and a collection of books themed on intangible cultural heritage, creating a strong atmosphere of traditional craftsmanship. A dedicated area was set up as an intangible cultural heritage experience space for paper scooping and paper drying. Another highlight that remains on display is the Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Joint Exhibition by teachers and students of the Junior Section: the paintings are vivid and lifelike, while the calligraphy works feature diverse styles.

In celebration of World Book Day, the Middle School Section joined hands with China HongXing Xuan Paper—renowned for the intangible cultural heritage reputation of "Xuan Paper lasting a thousand years"—hailing from Jing County, Anhui, the birthplace of Xuan Paper, to carefully plan the event "The Charm of Paper and the Fragrance of Books, Walking Hand in Hand with Intangible Cultural Heritage" by making creative use of the library space.

The Grace of Paper

In 2009, Xuan Paper was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This treasure, praised for "lasting a thousand years" and carrying the profoundness of Chinese civilization, stepped onto our campus in April.

As early as March, to let teachers and students experience the allure of Xuan Paper firsthand, a calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting exhibition was launched, collecting works from all teachers and students in the Junior Section. Taking paper as a medium and brushes as companions, everyone added an elegant touch of Xuan Paper artistry to the campus with their exquisite works on Xuan Paper.

On the afternoon of April 9th, the event officially kicked off. Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, Ms. Liu Fang and Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Vice Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, held discussions with leaders from China Xuan Paper Joint Stock Limited Company, exchanging in-depth views on bringing intangible cultural heritage into campus and integrating excellent traditional Chinese culture with international education. Later, Leaders of China Xuan Paper Joint Stock Limited Company, and Principal Liu Lian jointly presented certificates and creative Xuan Paper gifts to award-winning teachers, marking the official start of "The Charm of Paper and the Fragrance of Books, Walking Hand in Hand with Intangible Cultural Heritage".

A Living Museum

The event reached its climax on Friday. Ms. Zhang Zehong, Secretary General of SHS, Mr. Liu Lian, Ms. Liu Fang and Mr. Shen Tianyuan, visited the venue to explore and experience the activities alongside teachers and students.

On that day, the library took on a new identity: it served as an exhibition hall, a classroom, an experience space, and a tangible "intangible cultural heritage museum" to be touched, observed, and participated in.

The "All About Xuan Paper" popular science exhibition stretched from the entrance, systematically introducing the raw materials, craftsmanship, classifications, artistic features, and historical development of Xuan Paper through illustrated panels, authentic Xuan Paper products and production tools. Teachers and students lingered in front of the panels and stopped by the exhibits, witnessing the years of craftsmanship behind every sheet of paper through the tools and introductions.

Lecture

During the lunch break, the special lecture "Stories of Xuan Paper" allowed students to compare the differences between painting paper and Xuan Paper by kneading, touching and observing, building an intuitive understanding and appreciation for Xuan Paper.

Hands-on Experience

The best way to inherit culture is not merely to "see", but to "create with one’s own hands".

The most anticipated part of the event was the intangible cultural heritage experience zone. Under the guidance of master craftsmen—inheritors of intangible cultural heritage—participants lined up in an orderly queue, eager yet patient. Getting the chance to personally experience "paper scooping" and "paper drying", two key steps in Xuan Paper making, was an unforgettable experience. For many, picking up a bamboo screen for the first time, leaning over the paper vat, and watching the pulp take shape with each lift and lower brought sparks of surprise to their eyes.

Carefully, everyone pasted the wet paper onto the hot drying wall, smoothing and pressing it evenly with a special brush to remove air bubbles, ensuring the paper adhered tightly to the surface. As moisture evaporated under high temperature, the soft, damp paper gradually became stiff, smooth, and pure white. The process demanded patience and meticulousness, letting everyone truly witness the magical transformation of Xuan Paper from pulp to finished sheet.

When a seal was gently stamped on the handmade Xuan Paper, each piece gained a unique meaning of its own.

The Fragrance of Ink

On the other side of the library, the "Mastery on Paper" calligraphy and painting experience zone was filled with the rich fragrance of ink and a lively atmosphere.  Xuan Paper, writing brushes, and ink were fully prepared, with teachers offering careful guidance and patient demonstrations. Teachers and students picked up brushes to write and paint freely on the Xuan Paper they had made. Participants savored the unique texture of the paper as it absorbed, spread, and held ink, experiencing intangible cultural heritage through creation. Non-native Chinese speakers and foreign teachers with no prior experience also learned earnestly under the hands-on guidance of Mr. Ni Minxue, from holding brushes and controlling strokes to managing ink flow—progressing from unfamiliarity to proficiency, from curiosity to dedication. Teachers and students exchanged and gifted works, sharing insights and bonding over calligraphy and ink, leaving warm and precious cultural memories amid laughter and joy.

The Resonance

This series of activities saw full and in-depth participation by all non-native Chinese language teachers and students of the Middle School Section, while the calligraphy and painting joint exhibition, lectures, paper scooping, and other rich events also attracted a large number of Chinese and foreign teachers and students. It was not only a vivid and lively Chinese practical lesson, but also a dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Teachers and students learned about the history of Xuan Paper up close, experienced the intangible cultural heritage craft of papermaking, and felt the art of paper and ink, quietly nurturing cultural identity and affection in their hearts, completing a spiritual baptism of paper and ink.

Paper carries wisdom, and ink conveys emotions. As Xuan Paper entered the campus and the fragrance of books met intangible cultural heritage, this spring has left a lasting and profound resonance.

The teachers and students’ calligraphy and painting joint exhibition at the library will run until the end of April, continuing to convey the elegance of ink, wash, and the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Teachers and students who participated in the activities are also welcome to visit the campus corridors to learn more about popular science knowledge about Xuan Paper.

(Written by Xinyi Zhang
Pictures by Ginger Xu, Ruolin Yan, Xiaoling Gao, Teachers of the Chinese Department

Reviewed by Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Fan Chen, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)