Page 15 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (98)

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CITY LIFE | 城事

The miracles of Grandpa’s Bookstore
老爷爷书店，老街的解忧铺

Shaoxing City, located in Zhe- profound words: “Reading is the City, is the name of this unassuming
jiang Province, is renowned not best thing to do.” Inside the store, figure. After graduating from col-
only as the hometown of the famous the space is relatively narrow and lege, he was assigned to the Tianjin
Chinese writer Lu Xun, but also as perhaps even slightly dim. A cur- Research Institute, dedicated to the
a place where the master calligra- tain divides the interior into two production of submarines. Hailing
pher Wang Xizhi once resided. In sections. The outer portion is filled from a lineage of educators, the
the charming old alley of Yuech- with an assortment of old books, Wang family had been imparting
eng District, amidst small bridges spanning various genres but not knowledge at Shaoxing’s Nanchi
traversing the water, one can find encompassing exceedingly rare Elementary School for three gener- crowds in the bookstore. To those not perceive himself as superior to
scattered houses with red walls and editions. The storekeeper diligent- ations. In order to be reunited with tourists who prioritize photo op- others. He hopes that visitors can
black tiles. These traditional dwell- ly organizes and categorizes these his loved ones, Wang Zhixing re- portunities over reading, he kindly set aside their smartphones and
ings house a diverse array of small books, pricing them at anything linquished his well-paid position in reminds them to handle the books immerse themselves in the books.
stores, including those selling rice from a few yuan to several dozen Tianjin and returned to Shaoxing to with care. Aware of the fragility Whenever children come to his
cakes, yellow wine, and ice lollies. yuan. Over the past couple of work at a bicycle factory. Upon re- of the aged pages, he becomes ir- bookstore, he would point to the
Amidst this tranquil scene, there years, as tourism in Shaoxing has tiring, he opened the very bookstore ritated when some visitors neglect words inscribed at the entrance,
is a treasured gem of an establish- thrived, this humble bookstore has in question. their preservation. After all, his reminding them, “Reading is the
ment—an old bookstore known as gained quite the reputation online, At the age of 80, Wang Zhixing passion for books and reading is best thing to do. Read more books,
Grandpa’s Bookstore. drawing in numerous visitors who proudly displays his untrimmed the very foundation upon which read good books.” In an era inun-
The ravages of time have left eagerly capture its unique charm. frizzy white hair as he effortlessly he operates the bookstore. dated with an overabundance of
their mark on this unpretentious As tourists come and go, they engrosses himself in delightful Being open-minded, Wang electronic information, he harbors
brick-and-tile house, with a worn, may be impressed by the enchant- conversations with visitors from Zhixing is always ready to em- the hope that his beloved book-
weathered red awning hanging low ing bookstore, but few take notice around the world. brace high-quality innovations. store will endure. Moreover, he
over the entrance. Upon the awn- of the humble grandpa behind it all. Wang Zhixing does not like Though aware of his newfound seeks solace and tranquility within
ing, one can read the simple yet Wang Zhixing, a native of Shaoxing it when there are overwhelming popularity on the internet, he does the pages of the written word.

Why should there be libraries in the world?

世上为什么要有图书馆

Yang Suqiu has spent 35 years recalled. ied the cataloging principles
residing on campus. She was born According to regulations, the of other district libraries, and
in a teacher’s building and raised library was required to occupy an extensively researched various
in a teacher’s residential quarter. area of at least 3,000 square me- bestseller lists available online.
After completing her doctoral ters. However, when she received She carefully screened annota-
studies in literature, she embarked the planning document, Yang was tors and translators before final- Yang aimed to ensure the bibliog- blind friends, had not attended
on a career as a university profes- faced with the daunting reality izing the selection of translated raphy encompassed a wide range a school for the blind, and knew
sor. Throughout this time, her life that the proposed site for the li- works for inclusion. “I was con- of genres, catered to different gen- hardly anything about Braille.
remained relatively uncomplicat- brary was underground. On her scious of the need to avoid per- ders, age groups, professions, and However, Pan had a deep longing
ed, following a well-organized first visit to the location, situated sonal bias and ensure a balanced educational backgrounds. to access books and browse the in-
routine of research and lesson in the basement of a shopping selection for the district library’s Why should there be a library? ternet. Thankfully, her needs were
preparation. However, in 2020, mall, Yang was met with a bleak bibliography,” she said. To What was the point of investing fulfilled at the library in Beilin
Yang took on a new role as the picture. The space lacked ade- achieve this, she tapped into her significant resources, both finan- District.
deputy director of the Culture, quate lighting, had an uneven and network of contacts, reaching cial and human, into the estab- Yang has reached an under-
Tourism, and Sports Bureau in damaged floor, peeling walls, and out to individuals from diverse lishment of a library that might standing that reading is a lifelong
Beilin District, Xi’an City. exposed wires. backgrounds. Her friends, in- have lower weekday attendance? journey, and therefore, libraries
“During my first week in the Amidst all the preparations, cluding publishing house editors, Ultimately, these questions led to should strive to create a space that
role, I was tasked with establish- the task that brought Yang the college and university teachers, a more fundamental query: who transcends identity differences. In
ing a library. In a conversation most excitement and required her piano teachers, philosophers, would be the primary beneficiaries particular, district and county li-
with Xiaoning, the appointed chief utmost effort was compiling a bib- B&B managers, new mothers, of the library’s construction? braries should make greater efforts
librarian of the library, I learned liography. and the elderly, provided her Upon meeting Pan Yue, who to cater to the needs of low-in-
that Beilin District still didn’t Yang posted a request for with book lists from their own was visually impaired, Yang dis- come individuals and marginal-
have a library of its own,” Yang comments on her weblog, stud- recommendations. By doing so, covered that Pan did not have any ized communities.