Tianjin University Crabapple Blossom Festival kicks off for 10th year

Tianjin University's annual Crabapple Blossom Festival opened on April 3 and is set to last for two weeks.

Starting in 2012, the century-old university — one of the most attractive places in Tianjin, North China — has now hosted the festival for ten years in a row, in a bid to show off its 2,100 crabapple trees to visitors.

Owing to the fact that the campus is still off-limits to the public as part of epidemic control measures, the university hosted a one-hour online flower show from 10 am, live broadcasting it through multiple media outlets and short video platforms like CCTV Video, People Video, Douyin and bilibili. The show not only featured the stunning "full bloom" beauty of crabapple blossoms on its campus, but also events bursting with college community culture.

In the middle of Mingde Road, which is the best scenic spot in the university to appreciate crabapple flowers, a shiny red booth was very eye-catching during the live show.

"I hope that the epidemic can be overcome globally as soon as possible. And I am proud to have been a frontline doctor fighting against the virus," said Zhao Xiaoyun to the camera installed within the booth.

As a medical staff member from the Chest Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University, Zhao was the leader of the hospital’s epidemic prevention and control group. This year, he and his colleagues were invited as special guests to view the crabapple blossoms on campus.

Next to the red booth is a big crabapple tree with many red cards hanging from it, dancing amid the flowers in the light breeze. Some cards pray for the peace and prosperity of the country, others show resolution to pursue their academic dreams.

"The booth and the big tree serve as receptacles that collect people's aspirations for the future and their confessions of love for the country, the university or their loved ones," said Zhao Xijun, one of the festival organizers. "The activity is designed to pay tribute to the new era when our country has started a new journey to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way. We hope our students can ride on the waves of these times and align their personal dreams with the great cause of national rejuvenation."

In addition to enjoying flower shows, online audience were able to get a glimpse of the university's culture through exhibitions, science education activities, sports events and art performances.

Between 2012 and 2021, the festival has attracted more than 200,000 people from all walks of life - including teachers, students, alumni and visitors — onto the campus, and entertained nearly 2 million people online.