Bilingual Picture Book "Grandpa's Happy Orchard" Launched at Beijing Jiaotong University

April 26, 2025 – The School of Languages and Communication Studies, Beijing Jiaotong University held the themed event "Reading Classics with Joy, Passing on the Torch – Bilingual Volunteer Journey Nourishing Hearts" at the BJTU 1896 Cultural Space. The event featured the official launch of the new Chinese-English bilingual picture book "Grandpa's Happy Orchard" and marked the inauguration of the "Chinese Traditional Cultural Heritage" practical public welfare project. Nearly a hundred faculty members, students, and volunteers dedicated to cultural heritage gathered to participate in this activity, which blended childlike fun with profound cultural significance.

Sun Wenbo, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School, attended and delivered an opening address, while Professor Dai Jiangwen, Director of the Department of English, gave concluding remarks. The event welcomed the picture book's original author, Ms. Zhang Jun; its translator, Fu Xuanwen, a student from English Class 2301; and the child protagonist "Kai Xin", Qin Kaibo, who shared the family-themed story. Also in attendance were Dr. Meng Ye, head of the "Green Gentlemen" traditional culture inheritance practice project, and Ms. Wang Jialu from the Traffic Safety Project Management Office of the China Volunteers Association.

In his speech, Sun Wenbo reviewed BJTU's century-long history and highlighted the school's efforts in promoting Chinese cultural heritage and international communication. He commended the Department of English's achievements in broadening students' global perspectives.

The event began with a children's recitation. Mr. Qiu Yunhai, former CCTV host, led the children in reciting "Rhythm Enlightenment", vividly demonstrating the melodic beauty of Chinese poetry. The real-life "Kai Xin" shared stories from the orchard and read excerpts from the picture book together with Mr. Qiu, allowing the charm of traditional culture to flow naturally through their voices.

The launch was hosted by Zhang Ruijun, a young faculty member of the Department of English. She engaged the children with interactive games tailored to their interests, creating an immersive and lively atmosphere.

During the sharing session, author Zhang Jun expressed her original vision and aspirations for promoting traditional culture. Translator Fu Xuanwen reflected on her personal growth during the translation process, noting that "translation is like delicate embroidery—every stitch must be firmly in place". Yang Qi, Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house, also sent a message of support for the project. Student representatives—Cui Xinyue (from the Affiliated Primary School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences), Xiao Wenjun (from the Department of English), and Aida Nadhirah binti Abdullah Harun (a Malaysian student at BJTU)—shared their understanding and reflections on Chinese traditional culture from diverse perspectives, showcasing the multifaceted nature of cultural inheritance.

Dr. Meng Ye, head of the "Green Gentlemen" project, and Ms. Wang Lei, the picture book's sponsor, also delivered addresses. They affirmed the positive role of the bilingual picture book in promoting cultural understanding and intergenerational bonding and expressed high expectations for future publications.

In her concluding remarks, Associate Professor Dai Jiangwen, Chair of the Department of English, elaborated on the department's educational philosophy of "integrating knowledge with practice", emphasizing an approach that equally prioritizes language proficiency and practical innovation. She highlighted the consistent excellence achieved by English majors in recent years across academic research, social practice, and international exchange, noting their outstanding outcomes in both further education and career placement. Professor Dai attributed these successes to the dedicated cultivation and ongoing reforms implemented by the departmental team.

The event concluded with the young Kai Xin personally presenting copies of the book to the guests, wrapping up the ceremony amidst warm applause and laughter. Participants agreed that the event was not only a meaningful book launch but also a cultural experience that artfully wove together family affection, tradition, and linguistic artistry.

The bilingual picture book launch fully demonstrated the school's educational philosophy of "cultivating character through culture, conveying emotions through language", injecting new vitality into the preservation and global dissemination of Chinese culture. Moving forward, the school will continue to explore pathways for integrating language education with cultural communication, further promoting the reach of exemplary traditional Chinese culture worldwide.