On July 17, 2024, the summer camp of “China Roots Journey” with the theme of “Longyinqinyun” was successfully opened at Jiangsu University. Twenty Chinese youths from Spain, Denmark, Holland and other countries gathered together with three leaders to officially start a ten-day cultural journey of searching for their roots and exploring in Zhenjiang.

1.Opening Ceremony

   Mr. Wang Yongxin, President of Zhenjiang Returned Overseas Chinese Federation, made a speech, in which he introduced the basic situation of the camp to all the campers and leaders, and expressed his good wishes for the activity, wishing that the activity would be a complete success and that every participant would have a full harvest. 

 Dai Li, the representative of the leader from Denmark, and Guo Kejia, the representative of the campers from the Netherlands, made speeches respectively, in which they thanked the organizers and the motherland for their care, and enthusiastically shared their deep anticipation and infinite longing for the upcoming journey of searching for their roots.

  Leaders of the provincial and municipal Overseas Chinese Federation and the Overseas Chinese Federation of Jiangsu University presented books to the campers: “Three Character Classic”, “Thousand Character Classic” and “Farming Culture in Tang Poetry”, which were edited by Prof. Ren Xiaofei of Jiangsu University, to use this series of books as a medium for appreciating the rhythms of the Chinese language, and for inheriting and carrying forward the Chinese culture.

  Campers excitedly walked towards the signature wall and carefully signed their names, each of which implied the value and remembrance of this activity. Some of the campers also added designs or messages to express their feelings and wishes.

2.Visit to China Vinegar Culture Museum

  The campers visited China Vinegar Culture Museum with great enthusiasm, understood the history, production process and cultural background of vinegar, tasted all kinds of vinegar products, felt the profundity of Chinese traditional food culture, and had a deeper understanding and love for the unique charm of Zhenjiang balsamic vinegar.

3.Guqin Appreciation and Experience

   The campers were honored to witness the exquisite skills of the guqin teacher, and the sound of the qin was as intoxicating as high mountains and flowing water. Afterwards, they touched the strings of the zither themselves, experiencing the unique flavor of the guqin and feeling the richness of traditional culture.

The opening ceremony of the “Roots Tour” began with a trip to the Vinegar Culture Museum, which allowed the campers to appreciate the thousand-year inheritance; and the guqin appreciation and experience session, which allowed the campers to touch the historical lineage with their own hands. The activities were compact and full, and the campers had a deeper understanding and love of traditional culture.