Witnessing the Continuity of Chinese Culture and Contributing the Strength of Women
General Secretary Xi Jinping once again clearly pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "To uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it with China's specific realities and with China's fine traditional culture." In order to implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions regarding the "Two Integrations" [1], and with the approval of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS), the institute’s Labor Union and Women’s Work Committee organized all staff to visit the Central Headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture on March 29, 2023. The activity, themed "Witnessing the Chinese Cultural Lineage, Contributing Women's Strength," was held in celebration of International Women's Day. More than 70 staff members from the institute participated, and Yu Junxiao, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the IMS, attended the event.
(Group photo of the staff of the Institute of Marxism Studies)
The National Archives of Publications and Culture is a landmark cultural project intended to endure through the ages in the New Era. Serving as the national general database of publication resources and a "seed bank" for the genes of Chinese culture, it has been included in the "Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the 2035 Long-Range Objectives" as a vital component of the flourishing development of socialist culture. During the activity, the group visited three thematic exhibitions:
(1) In the exhibit "The Splendor of Culture: Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Civilization Publications," themed on the development of Chinese history and the evolution of Chinese civilization, staff viewed many precious exhibits and innovative display designs. These various types of publications, serving as cultural carriers, reflect the changes in Chinese history and witness the achievements of Chinese civilization, presenting the historical origins, developmental trajectory, and fundamental trends of China's fine traditional culture.
(2) In the exhibit "Light of Truth: Classic Publications Exhibition of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism," participants viewed precious paper and digital versions of manuscripts and works by key leaders of the international communist movement since the birth of Marxism in the 1840s, including Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao Zedong. The exhibit also featured historical documents, books, newspapers, archival materials, and video footage related to the international communist movement.
(3) In the exhibit "Witnessing the Great Cause: Exhibition of Publications Representing the Renaissance of the Chinese Nation," staff viewed precious documents from the CPC's century of struggle, as well as works and rare book editions by Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Xi Jinping that applied Marxist theoretical viewpoints and methods to guide various periods of the Chinese revolution. This provided a more intuitive understanding of the glorious journey of the Chinese nation as it "stood up, grew rich, and became strong" [2]. Wandering through the vast sea of historical publications, while marveling at the collection, the institute's staff developed a profound sense of pride in China's fine traditional culture and a high degree of identification with Marxist theory.
During the visit, the staff learned that the exhibits in the "Light of Truth" exhibition were collected and organized by scholars from our own institute. When Vice President Yu, standing before the manuscript of the Communist Manifesto, presented a crystal plaque engraved with the words of Marx's wife, Jenny von Westphalen, to the National Archives as a commemorative gift on behalf of everyone, it further bolstered the confidence and pride of the staff in dedicating themselves to Marxist theoretical research.
(Vice President Yu Junxiao presenting the crystal plaque gift)
After the visit, staff enthusiastically submitted more than 50 photographs taken during the tour, each accompanied by titles reflecting their personal insights. The Labor Union and Women's Work Committee selected 26 of these to be displayed on exhibition boards to record the many wonderful and unforgettable moments of this event.
(Images of the activity exhibition boards)
To thank everyone for their strong support and active participation, the Labor Union and Women's Work Committee prepared exquisite and practical souvenirs for all participating staff, which were well-received.
(Activity souvenirs)
Through participation in this event, the female staff of the institute expressed that they will further strengthen their historical consciousness, firm up their cultural confidence, and consciously shoulder the important responsibility and mission of promoting the flourishing development of China's philosophy and social sciences, contributing "women's strength" to the prosperity and progress of the motherland.
(Written by Qin Zhenyan)