As the first store in the Republic, Wangfujing Bookstore launched an activity - Happy Read in Jiachen Year of Dragon from the first day of the first month (February 10). It will also usher in the 75th anniversary of the store, creating a wealth of reading and cultural activities.
In the main space of Wangfujing Bookstore, a large dragon year-themed book flower presents, with couplets on both sides "seventy-five years of reading, set sail to the future journey”. The words imply that at the beginning of the new year, the store will stop and think, look back to the origin, and open a new journey to serve its readers.
Wangfujing Bookstore was founded on February 10, 1949, formerly known as the first store of Beiping Xinhua Bookstore, belonged to Beijing Publishing Group, and was regarded as "the first store of the Republic" by readers. Since 2022, Wangfujing Bookstore has promoted Ancient Capital Culture, Red Culture, Beijing Culture, and Innovation Culture, established the "Central Axis Cultural Special Zone", and launched the "Beijing Impression" brand exhibition area of books and cultural creation. They guide readers to explore the ancient capital and cultural heritage of Beijing. The Wangfujing Library, jointly built by Wangfujing Bookstore and Dongcheng District Library, breaks through the original lending service and hands over the right to purchase books to readers, opening up an innovative mode in which readers purchase books and libraries pay for them.
To welcome the 75th anniversary of the store, the first floor of the bookstore specially launched the theme booth of "recalling history and treasuring memories" and the autographed book display area of famous authors. Old photos and objects from the establishment of the store in 1949 to the present are just like the history books that record the images of life, which instantly evoke the public's memories. To help readers revisit the classics, the exhibition area takes time as the horizontal axis and books as the vertical axis, displaying the classic books that have been published since 1949. Signed books by famous authors such as Liang Xiaosheng, Liu Yida, and Sasu will also be found in the autographed book display area. The 75th anniversary commemorative postcards and gift boxes are carefully on display.
To let more citizens and tourists feel the charm and warmth of reading, from January 27th, Wangfujing Bookstore carried out the theme display of "Bringing a Book to Your Hometown Children". Nearly 300 kinds of books will be exhibited, and readers can enjoy a 60% discount on book purchases and free shipping service.
From the first to the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Wangfujing Bookstore will open all kinds of reading and cultural activities for readers of all ages. While enjoying the pleasure of reading, readers can also visit the Folk Market on the first floor to observe and listen to the interpretation of traditional culture by intangible cultural heritage artists.
During the festival, reading is not only in stores but also in neighborhoods. Wangfujing Bookstore, a large bookstore under the Beijing Publishing Group, appeared in the "Wangfujing Book Market" on Gold Street together with other bookstores. The mobile cars designed for citizens and tourists are loaded with a wide range of books and cultural products. Many visitors gathered at the entrance of the bazaar, taking pictures and feeling the cultural sentiment of the ancient capital.
Wangfujing Bookstore will be open all day on Spring Festival Eve and will extend its business hours to 12:00 p.m. from the first to the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.
Translator: BAI Jing
Reviewer: WEN Min
