Spring has come, why not savor the season in a sea of blossoming crabapple flowers on Tianjin University（TJU） campuses?

Visitors take photos of crabapple flowers

On March 31, the 8th annual Crabapple Blossom Festival held by Tianjin University kicked off on both its Weijin Road campus and the Peiyangyuan Campus and welcomed nearly 40,000 citizens, alumni, teachers and students with various cultural and science-promoting activities.

Under the main theme of Pursuing Dreams in the new Era, four tour routes were designed to meet visitors’ different needs, namely the TJU Impression Route, the Cultural Immersion route, the Science and Innovation Route and the Exploration Route.

On the TJU Impression route, visitors were offered various activities, exhibitions and lectures to learn more about Tianjin University, the first modern university in China.

Lu Yongchang, the chief engineer of the Island tunnel project in building the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge delivers a speech.

The lecture Hall in the Science Library was packed with people listening to the inspiring speech titled “The story between me and my motherland—TJU efforts in the "Mighty Country Project" delivered by Lu Yongchang, an outstanding TJU alumni and the chief engineer of the Island tunnel project in building the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. “We are ordinary people doing ordinary things each day. We strive to make the best of every ordinary thing and that consummates a great cause.” The simple but gripping words of Lu drew thunderous applauses from the audience.

The Exhibition that tells how TJU Alumni contribute to the development of the new China

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a special exhibition composed of documentary materials, historical pictures and personal collections was deployed in the Peiyang Square, telling stories about how generations of TJU alumni have exerted themselves to meet the national strategic demands and made progress in major areas of national economic and engineering projects. Zhang Xuan, a senior liberal art student talked excitedly “I was so proud to know that our predecessors have made such great contributions towards the development of the country. We have Wu Ziliang famous for his work in developing our nation’s first atomic and hydrogen bombs, Hou Debang pioneering in Alkali production, Zhang Hanying, the irrigation expert, and so many…They are the icons we should follow.”

Citizens visit the History Museum of Tianjin University

The History Museum was open all day long and visitors could get a glimpse into the 124 years’ history of Tianjin University. Alumni took photos wearing academic costumes and wrote down their greetings to the Alma Mater in front of the 9th building. For them, the festival is a time for reunion and reminiscence. “It is also a new beginning, knowing that our next generation is carrying forward what we have fought for in our young days.” Said Mr Cai whose grandson is studying at TJU where he and his son used to study.

The Cultural Immersion route provided people opportunities to experience Chinese traditional culture and Tianjin folk arts.

Ten folk culture craftsmen were invited to convey the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Old grannies, little kids and young students were all intrigued with traditional folk arts like Yang Liuqing's Woodcut New Year Pictures, circular fan painting and kite making. “It is fascinating to see and to experience the traditional arts. It’s like talking to the ancient and communicating across time and space.” Liu Xiaomei, a sophomore student said. This is the second year she has attended the crabapple blossom festival.

Students try out traditional folk arts—pyrograph of crabapple flowers

A craftsman showcases how to make kites.

A senior citizen is learning to paint a circular fan.

Within the Wang Xuezhong Art Institute, Sun Guoxi, the Dean of the Institute was introducing the late art master—Wang Xuezhong’s drawing works to the audience. He told them to come to see the exhibitions as often as possible, indicating that “a wide range of experience will enhance understanding of Chinese painting and calligraphy”. Wu, a senior citizen said that she had attended this kind of art exhibition for many years and each year she has felt differently.

Wang Xuezhong Art Institute put on an exhibition of traditional Chinese painting.

Surrounded by a crowd, Liu Jun, an artist from the Wang Xuezhong Art Institute was intent on drawing crabapple flowers.

A performance by the Peiyang Art Troupe in the open air was also very eye-catching. Debuting with the children's choir from the primary school affiliated with Tianjin University, musical instrument performance, cross talk shows, and dances picked up the rhythm and created an animated atmosphere that made flower sightseeing more enjoyable.

The children's choir from the primary school affiliated with Tianjin University performed.

The Peiyang chorus group sang the song “Petal”.

 

Xinjiang dance performed by the Peiyang Dance Group

40,000 people attended the festival.

The Science and Innovation Route was mainly designed for high school students who wish to consult about college admission and for young children who are interested in science and technology. In the School of Microelectronics, students visited the Laboratory of Smart Chips and Computing Systems, experimenting with practical manipulation and figuring out how fast the Artificial Intelligence is developing; in the School of Life and Science, plant and animal samples were put on display; and the Xuanhuai School offered a special Lego course to middle school students who were enlightened on the idea of critical thinking.

Students from Tianjin No. 100 High School tour around the campus and take a phot with TJU Party Secretary Li Jiajun

Going on the Exploration Route, visitors toured around the new campus of Tianjin University, exploring the magnificent Zhengdong Library and appreciating the exhibits that tells the recent achievements TJU made in Science and Technology.

Visitors at the New Technology Experience Center on the New Campus

It is reported that there are over 800 crabapple trees on Tianjin University’s Weijin Road Campus, most of which have thrived for more than 40 years, the oldest tree being 67 years old. The new campus boasts of 1100 crabapple trees that fall into 16 categories.

By Eva Yin