PART. 01

Resonance of Humanities ▼

Echo Magazine

Commemorative Special Exhibition Held at Xi'an Eurasia University

On April 23, the Echo Magazine Commemorative Special Exhibition was officially opened in the Administration Center of Xi'an Eurasia University, opening the prelude to the 15th Reading Culture Festival of Xi'an Eurasia University.

At the beginning of the opening ceremony, Liu Juntao, co-founder of this exhibition, chairman of Xi'an Graphic Design Association, and founder of Hills Culture, first introduced the general situation and status of Echo. He pointed out that as the "gene pool of Chinese folk culture", this Echo Magazine Commemorative Special Exhibition is of great significance to the inheritance of Chinese culture.

(Fig. 1) Liu Juntao Introduces the Overview and Status of Echo to Teachers and Students Present

During his visit to Xi'an, Mr. Huang Yongsong said, "The traditional culture of Shaanxi is extensive, profound, and boundless, requiring many people to discover, explore, and protect." On the spot, Dang Ronghua, former Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and an expert in folk art research, recalled his past exploration of folk art in northwest Shaanxi with Huang Yongsong, founder of the Echo magazine. From Ku Shulan, a folk artist of paper-cutting, to Ansai waist drum dance, "Mr. Huang Yongsong has always been inquisitive. Whether it is folk art exploration, content planning, or book design and binding, Echo has always been committed to presenting folk art completely and vividly to everyone, which is also the spirit of the Echo!" Dang Ronghua said with emotion.

(Fig. 2) Dang Ronghua Recalls the Past with Mr. Huang Yongsong, Impressing the Audience

"Human beings transcend animals in that they can make life meaningful and work valuable, which gives birth to civilization. Xi'an Eurasia University is an international university in China, which means we should not only have an international vision but also use localized actions to serve the city where we are located, spread the local civilization, and find our own significance and value in Xi'an." Speaking of the original intention, Professor Hu Jianbo, Founder and Chairman of Xi'an Eurasia University, said, "At the same time, an important motivation for us the hold the exhibition is educating people. First, I hope that when you leave the campus and go to society, the exhibitions and conversations you have seen at Xi'an Eurasia University can play a role in shaping your thoughts so that you will be proud of the local culture and become conscious cultural ambassadors in the future. Besides, I also hope that while visiting the exhibition and communicating with these experts, scholars, and masters, you can feel the attitude and determination that artistic designers and cultural workers should have. That is to say, the most crucial way for art is not to conform to the crowd but to seek self-love and pursue a life with a willingness to learn, spread, and try."

(Fig. 3) Professor Hu Jianbo Attends the Opening Ceremony and Delivers a Speech

This commemorative special exhibition has exhibited more than 50 collections of Echo magazine, paying tribute to the magazine's outstanding contribution to Chinese folk culture. Mr. Chen Mi, editor of the Beijing Editorial Department of Echo, led the audience to visit the exhibition and shared exciting anecdotes about the magazine, as well as solid contributions of folk art watchers with teachers and students present.

Since 1971, Echo has recorded folk art thoroughly for 53 years, like an extensive gene pool of traditional Chinese culture. When opening the magazine with exquisite binding and unique design page by page, the folk style, folk arts, and folk customs nourished on the Chinese land unfold, attracting people to stay and forget leaving.

PART. 02

Field of Communication▼

On-site talks with cultural masters

to enrich the flow of thoughts.

On the opening day of the exhibition, Dang Ronghua, former Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and an expert in folk art research, Gao Xiaolong, director and independent curator, Chen Mi, editor of the Beijing Editorial Department of Echo, Li Hongjun, researcher of Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Center, Zhang Xichang, Associate Professor of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, and many guests attended the event to have dialogues on themes around the Echo magazine and share their experiences with teachers and students present.

"Chinese culture possesses a distinctive local attribute, deeply rooted in our local society. Whether it is intangible cultural heritage or folk literature and art, they are all built upon the foundation of our local communities."

—Zhang Xichang, Associate Professor of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts

Zhang Xichang, an expert who has studied the theory of folk art for years, introduced the history and status of folk art magazines. "Echo has been rooted in traditional local culture for decades, thanks to its unwavering faith and love for this land. In our society, which prioritizes pragmatism and quick paces, Echo stands out as a sincere and uncompromising presence. The magazine embodies a quality that is reflected in both form and content, and that is the spirit of Echo."

"Echo brings a unique way to inspire many people, a way to guide them to study, know about, and understand it."

—Dang Ronghua, former Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and an expert in folk art research

Mr. Dang Ronghua shared the precious moments of interaction between Huang Yongsong and folk art inheritors, emphasizing that every design achievement of Echo reflects a deep respect and love for folk art. He sincerely hoped this spirit could be inherited and developed among the younger generation, saying, "Students majoring in design should immerse themselves in the experience, understanding, and contemplation of these accomplishments."

"The first edition of Echo I got is about the 'calendar' posters for ads, which shocked me in an all-round way from design to content."

—Gao Xiaolong, director and independent curator

Mr. Gao Xiaolong shared his personal experience of how Echo influenced the publishing market in mainland China from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. He mentioned that when it comes to modern civilization and various arts and cultures of modern society, people tend to look to the West and the outside world. However, the people in Taiwan were able to penetrate their own Chinese heritage into the land, discover intricate details, and then spread, document, and organize them.

"If it weren't for the land of Shaanxi, if it weren't for Ku Shulan, if it weren't for shadow puppetry, and if it weren't for the Ansai waist drum in northern Shaanxi, Echo wouldn't be so wonderful."

—Chen Mi, editor of the Beijing Editorial Department of Echo

"As a member of the Echo magazine team, Chen Mi shared many anecdotes about Huang Yongsong's daily life, and these seemingly trivial matters reflect Huang Yongsong's unwavering dedication to folk art. "I attribute the progress achieved by Echo today to the greatness and beauty of Chinese folk culture as acknowledged by everyone beyond the result of our collective efforts."

"To build a gene pool for Chinese culture, we need the joint efforts of more scholars and even the whole nation."

—Li Hongjun, researcher of Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Center

Li Hongjun himself has personally participated in the editing work of Echo. Together with Chen Mi and others, he conducted field investigations in Huaxian County, Shaanxi, to collect first-hand information about Huazhou shadow puppetry. When discussing the inheritance of Chinese folk art by Echo, Li Hongjun expressed deep emotion, saying, "Echo has rescued a batch of extremely precious heritage for the Chinese nation, which should be remembered forever."

These guests shared their unique connections with Echo based on their own experiences. They talked about their understanding of Chinese culture and engaged in profound discussions with teachers and students present on topics such as tradition and modernity, art and life, and reading and practice. The focus was not only on Echo magazine itself but also on the respect and admiration for books and the protection and inheritance of Chinese culture.

The reason why Echo has stood the test of time and remains enduring

is not only due to its superior content

but also the spirit of generations after generations

of respect, admiration, exploration, and pursuit of knowledge towards Chinese culture

Xi'an Eurasia University welcomes you to the exhibition!

Exhibition Time:

From now until July 15, 2024

Venue:

Hall of the 1st Floor, Administrative Center, Xi'an Eurasia University