'Culture walls' recall history on Yuyuan Road

Ti Gong

The first batch of "culture walls" have been unveiled in a downtown historical conservation area to introduce the cultural celebrities who once lived there.

One new wall to commemorate pianist Gu Shengying (1937-1967), the first Chinese to win the top prize at an international piano contest, was unveiled at her former residence at the Hongye Garden community on Yuyuan Road.

The 30-meter-long wall, created by Jiangsu Road Subdistrict, features a sculpted portrait of Gu, along with 10 old photos and bilingual introductions in English and Chinese.

The wall is about 100 meters away from the entrance to the community and near the newly built Yuyuan Public Market, which attracts a lot of nearby residents with traditional eateries, a wet market and art exhibitions.

Gu won the gold price at the 6th World Youth Festival Piano Competition in Moscow in 1957, and the top award in women's piano at the 14th Geneva International Piano Competition in 1958. She was born in the community in 1937 and committed suicide in her apartment during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).

"The photos on the wall remind me of the days when we often met Gu in the neighborhood and listened to her piano practices at night," said Shen Fengmei, 63, who was also born in the neighborhood.

The Jiangsu Road Subdistrict has also unveiled another three culture walls about China's national anthem, traditional wisdom of "harmony," and filial piety across the Yuyuan Road historical conservation.

The project is part of efforts to highlight the history and culture behind the historical villas and former residences of celebrities along the road, many of which have undergone major revamps, according to the subdistrict.