Cultural sites highlight moral virtues
Robots help city officials bestow certificates to sites newly listed as locations for the cultivation of morality in Xuhui District on Wednesday.
Over a dozen cultural sites in Xuhui District were newly named on Wednesday as places where citizens can cultivate their morality.
The new batch of 15 sites was unveiled at a citizen’s cultivation carnival to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, as well as the approaching second China International Import Expo in November.
The sites include the Longhua Martyrs’ Memorial Hall, Shanghai Film Museum, the Oriental Musical Instrument Museum at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the newly opened Hengfu Exhibition Hall as well as former residences and memorials for late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) reformist Zou Rong, playwright Xia Yan and translator Cao Ying.
Residents are encouraged to visit these sites to learn more about the history and virtues of famous figures. Most of these sites offer free admission. A number of activities, including guided walks, concerts and recitals, will be held at these locations as well.
Previously, over a dozen venues and museums had been listed as moral cultivation sites. They included the former residences of Soong Ching Ling, wife of Dr Sun Yat-sen, and luminaries such as writer Ba Jin, playwright Ke Ling and cartoonist Zhang Leping, as well as the Xuhui District library.
Ten moral models were named at the opening session of the carnival on Wednesday as well. Among them was Wu Minxia, a local teacher with severe poliomyelitis who taught more than 600 students free-of-charge over the course of four decades.
The district also launched public service campaigns at cultivation sites and companies based in Xuhui. They encourage citizens to listen to speeches, help realize the dreams of children from impoverished families, promote listed heritage skills, as well as volunteer at local garbage-collection rooms.
A booklist was also released with 25 titles on traditional Chinese culture and the history of the city’s downtown streets. Residents can borrow these books for free for a month from several bookstores in Xuhui with their identity cards.
A weeklong exhibition was also unveiled at a shopping complex at 230 Ruiping Road, near the West Bund waterfront. Photos and virtual reality videos show the achievements of the last seven decades, as well as changes to the city and citizens’ moral character.
Citizens perform traditional Chinese opera learned at a community activity center in Xuhui District.
Wu Minxia, a local teacher with poliomyelitis who taught over 600 students for free over the last four decades, shares her story.
