On March 6, the Academy of Marxism held a themed activity for International Women's Day
To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s instructions regarding the "Two Combinations" [1], and to further strengthen the understanding and confidence of our staff in fine traditional Chinese culture, the Labor Union and the Working Committee for Women of the Institute of Marxism Studies (CASS), with the approval of the Institute’s Party Committee, organized an International Women’s Day activity on the afternoon of March 6, 2024. Under the theme "Experiencing the Charm of Tie-dyeing, Promoting Traditional Culture," instructors from Beijing’s CAFA Ivy Art Studio were invited to lecture on the history of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing techniques and provide hands-on instruction for female staff to create DIY tie-dyed cloth art. Together, participants appreciated and promoted the charm of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, fortified their cultural confidence, and contributed "women’s strength" [2] to the better inheritance of fine traditional Chinese culture. Over 30 female staff members from across the Institute participated. Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended and delivered remarks on behalf of the Institute’s Party Committee.
[Group photo of the activity site]
Lin Jianhua pointed out that the Institute of Marxism Studies is a research institution where female staff constitute the mainstay, representing 70% of the total workforce. Under the leadership and vigorous support of the Institute’s Party Committee, our female staff have fully implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They have made immense contributions to theoretical innovation, key research breakthroughs, policy recommendations, and talent cultivation. Their hard work and selfless dedication have ensured the successful completion and excellent results of the Institute's various tasks. On behalf of the Institute’s Party Committee, he expressed gratitude to the female comrades working diligently in research, management, and editorial positions, extending holiday greetings and blessings. At the same time, he fully affirmed the significance of this activity in enriching the spiritual and cultural lives of female staff, inheriting and developing tie-dyeing techniques, and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture. Finally, he wished the activity a complete success.
[Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attends and speaks]
Entering the World of Tie-dyeing: Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage
"A thousand years of dyeing from plants and trees; a splash of blue on a square of plain cloth." Tie-dyeing is a traditional and unique printing and dyeing process in our country and is one of China’s precious intangible cultural heritages. From tying to dyeing, the process is rich in creativity and has been passed down for a millennium. At the event, the art studio instructors provided a detailed explanation of theoretical knowledge, including the creative history, production principles, and process characteristics of tie-dyeing, as well as fabrics, dyes, basic steps, classifications, common techniques, and tool usage. This helped everyone gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing. During the practical operation phase, the instructors prepared materials in advance and personally demonstrated the tying and dyeing processes. They specifically showcased various creative forms such as positioning, folding, binding, and twisting, providing methodological guidance for participants to better experience tie-dyeing techniques.
[Art studio instructor lecturing on the history of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing]
Crafting Elegance with Skillful Hands: Radiance Infused into Cloth
The female staff members devoted themselves to their creations with focused attention, combining their creative ideas with the tools and materials at hand. As time passed, colors blossomed within the cloth. Unfolding each cloth piece was like opening a "blind box" [3]—always yielding unexpected surprises. After one hour, unique pieces of tie-dye work were presented. These ordinary white cloth figures were given vibrant and agile life by skillful hands, transforming into patterned dolls with distinct characteristics. Amidst the mottled colors, everyone felt a profound sense of achievement. They displayed and appreciated each other's work, enjoying the joy of DIY in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The scene was lively and warm. Finally, everyone held their works for a group photo to capture this moment of surprise and beauty. Encountering tie-dyeing techniques on this special holiday, the female staff not only unlocked the skills of the craft and deeply felt the beauty of intangible heritage but also personally experienced the infinite charm of traditional Chinese culture, spending a "Women's Day" filled with traditional cultural resonance.
[Tie-dyeing activity site]
Through this activity, the female staff of our Institute unanimously agreed that as we deeply study and comprehend Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, the organization of this themed activity by the Labor Union and the Working Committee for Women is timely and of extraordinary significance. Participants expressed that as staff members of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, we must continue to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, contributing "women’s wisdom" and "women’s strength" to the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture and the building of a modern Chinese civilization [4].
(Text: Shangguan Miaomiao / Photography: Wang Yi)