On October 10, a poetry recitation event themed “Searching for Nostalgia in the World of Lin Yutang” was held in the core area of Lin Yutang’s former residence in Banzai Town, Pinghe County, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, to commemorate the 129th anniversary of his birth. The event aimed to promote Yutang culture and foster a sense of patriotism through the recitation of literary works.
Participants included teachers and students from local schools, as well as members of the “Huaxiaoyu” literary volunteer team, who presented a thoughtfully arranged program featuring Min-nan nursery rhymes, dialect poetry, dances, and other artistic performances related to Yutang’s culture and green development.
Members of the Pinghe Lin Yutang Research Association, along with other literary figures and Taiwanese attendees, actively engaged in both creation and performance, contributing to a lively atmosphere. Taiwanese planner Li Peizhen expressed that reflecting on Lin Yutang’s life and works enabled her to appreciate his profound cultural influence and deep-rooted nostalgia. She indicated that such events would greatly benefit her current work related to Lin Yutang on the mainland and expressed a desire for more similar activities in the future.
Businessman Lin Wenxian from Taiwan underscored the significant role of Lin Yutang’s culture in cross-strait relations and felt honored to participate. He noted that the event deepened his understanding of Lin Yutang’s sense of patriotism and cultural identity.
During the gathering, attendees shared poems and literature, evoking the emotional depth of Lin Yutang’s nostalgia while expressing admiration and fond remembrance of the author. Many expressed that the event inspired a greater appreciation for exceptional Chinese culture, promoted Yutang’s legacy, encouraged the passing down of a sense of national identity, and facilitated cultural exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, bringing people closer together.
Lin Yutang, born on October 10, 1895, in Banzai Town, Pinghe County, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, studied in the United States and Germany in his early years. Upon returning, he taught at Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Xiamen University. A Nobel Literature Prize nominee, his notable works include “Moment in Peking,” “The Importance of Living,” and “Wisdom of Laotse.” He settled in Taiwan in 1966.
The event was co-hosted by the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Pinghe County, the Pinghe County Taiwan Affairs Office, and the People’s Government of Banzai Town.
