Get to know Wuxi through cultural memories

Wuxi launches the book series Get to Know Wuxi on April 22 to welcome the upcoming World Reading Day. [Photo by Liu Chuan provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The lakeside city of Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province, located on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, boasts splendid culture and a history of over 3,000 years.

To raise its profile and appeal to more visitors, the city launched the book seriesGet to Know Wuxion April 22, ahead of World Reading Day.

Wuxi, the cradle of Wu culture, is also the home of Xue Fucheng, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) diplomat, Qian Zhongshu, a famous 20th century writer and many celebrities. The publication of the book helps people across the world to get to know the vibrant centuries-old city.

Compiled by the information office of the Wuxi municipal government and published by Yilin Press, the Get to Know Wuxi series interprets the ancient city through ten characters, ten surnames and ten places and in both Chinese and English tries to expose its long history and traditional culture to western readers.

"The book series were also exhibited in London for ten days which got great attention among foreigners," Xie Shanqing, the deputy director of Yilin Press said at the launch ceremony.

Sponsors give the book series Get to Know Wuxi to representatives of overseas students at the launch ceremony on April 22. [Photo by Liu Chuan to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the launch ceremony, sponsors gave the book to representatives of overseas students as well as local residents and pupils to encourage them to read, to learn, and to have a better spiritual life.

"The book offers foreign readers a way to get to know, understand and fall in love with Wuxi as well as to further promote international cultural exchanges," said Cai Wenyu, the deputy director of the publicity department of the Wuxi municipal party committee.

The winners of a poetry reading contest themedGet to Know Wuxiwere also invited to present their love for the city's culture.