"Experiencing the Charm of Tie-dye and Promoting Traditional Culture": An Account of the Academy of Marxism's International Women's Day Themed Activity
To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s instructions on the "Two Combinations" [1], and to further strengthen the faculty and staff’s understanding of and confidence in China’s excellent traditional 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 event on the afternoon of May 6, 2024, themed "Experiencing the Charm of Tie-dyeing and Promoting Traditional Culture." Instructors from the Beijing CAFA Ivy Art Studio were invited to lecture on the history of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing techniques and provide on-site instruction to the Institute’s female staff on DIY textile tie-dyeing creations. Together, they appreciated and promoted the charm of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, firmed up their cultural confidence, and contributed "women’s strength" to the better inheritance of China’s excellent traditional culture. More than 30 female staff members from across the Institute participated. Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended on behalf of the Institute’s Party Committee and delivered a speech.
[Group photo of the event scene]
Lin Jianhua pointed out that the Institute of Marxism Studies is a scientific research institution with female staff as its mainstay; women account for 70% of the Institute's 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 enormous contributions to theoretical innovation, scientific research breakthroughs, the provision of policy advice, and the cultivation of talent. Their hard work and selfless dedication have ensured the successful completion and excellent performance of the Institute's various tasks. On behalf of the Institute’s Party Committee, he expressed gratitude to the female comrades fighting tirelessly in research, management, and editorial positions, and extended holiday greetings and blessings. At the same time, he fully affirmed the importance of this event for enriching the spiritual and cultural lives of female staff, inheriting and developing tie-dyeing techniques, and promoting China’s excellent traditional culture. Finally, he wished the event a complete success.
[Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attending and speaking]
Entering the world of tie-dyeing; understanding intangible cultural heritage.
"Plants and trees provide a thousand years of dye; a piece of plain cloth holds a splash of blue." Tie-dyeing is a traditional and unique printing and dyeing process in our country and is one of China’s precious forms of intangible cultural heritage. Its process—from tying to dyeing—is profoundly creative and has been passed down for a millennium. At the event, the instructors from the art studio gave a detailed explanation of the theoretical knowledge regarding the history of tie-dyeing, its production principles, and craft characteristics, as well as fabrics, dyes, basic steps, classifications, common techniques, and the use of tools. This helped participants gain a deep understanding of the basic knowledge of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing. During the practical operation phase, the instructors prepared tie-dyeing materials in advance and personally demonstrated the tying and dyeing processes. They specifically provided on-site demonstrations of various creative forms such as positioning, folding, binding, and twisting, offering methodological guidance for the participants to better experience the art of tie-dyeing.
[Art studio instructor lecturing on the history of traditional Chinese tie-dyeing]
Skilled hands tie beautiful patterns; cloth is dyed with resplendent colors.
With their own creative ideas and utilizing the tools and materials at hand, the female staff immersed themselves wholeheartedly in their respective creations. As time passed, colors "bloomed" within the fabric. The unfolding of each cloth doll was like opening a "blind box" [2], always bringing an encounter with an unexpected surprise. After one hour, unique pieces of tie-dyeing work were presented before everyone’s eyes. These ordinary, pure white cloth dolls were endowed with vivid and agile life by pairs of skillful hands, transformed into printed dolls with distinct characteristics. Amidst the mottled patterns, everyone felt a great sense of achievement in their work. They displayed and appreciated each other’s pieces, enjoying the fun of DIY in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The scene was lively and warm; finally, everyone held their works for a commemorative photo, freezing this moment of surprise and beauty. Encountering tie-dyeing techniques on this special holiday, the female staff not only "unlocked" the skills of tie-dyeing and felt the beauty of intangible heritage deeply, but also personally experienced the infinite charm of traditional Chinese culture, spending a "Women’s Day" filled with traditional cultural flavor.
[Tie-dyeing event scene]
Through this activity, the female staff of our Institute unanimously agreed that this themed event organized by the Labor Union and the Working Committee for Women was timely and highly significant, occurring as we deeply study and grasp Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress. Everyone expressed that as 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 China’s excellent traditional culture and the building of a modern civilization for the Chinese nation.
(Text: Shangguan Miaomiao / Photography: Wang Yi)