On the morning of April 28, the opening ceremony of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum was held on the 7th floor of the library at the Huyi Campus ofXSYU.Present at the ceremony were a host of leaders and distinguished guests, including Shan Hong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Writers Association; Gao Hongxia, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Federation of Social Sciences; Mu Tao, Chairman of Xi’an Writers Association; Chai Yanrong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Baqiao District Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department; renowned writers and cultural scholars Xiao Yunru, Bai Ye, Cheng Hai (one of the Five Generals of the“Shaanxi Literary Expedition”), Wu Kejing (Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Writers Association), Zhu Hong (Vice Chairman of Shaanxi Writers Association), He Gu (scriptwriter of the dance drama White Deer Plain), Bai Miao, Xing Xiaoli (author ofBiography of Chen Zhongshi); Chen Haili, son of the late Mr. Chen Zhongshi; relatives and friends of Mr. Chen Zhongshi, organizers of the Essay Contest Marking the 10th Anniversary of Chen Zhongshi’s Passing, representatives of the first seed fund of the Zhongshi Literature Fund, journalists from news media, and representatives of institutions that participated in the construction of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum.
Attendees from the university included Chang Jiang, Secretary of the University Party Committee; Zhang Mu, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee; Vice Presidents Su Wenfu, Zhang Xiaoyong, Zhao Jian andChong Yuhong; Wang Xinjian, a professor ofXSYUand a close friend of the late Chen Zhongshi; Yi Zhou, writer-in-residence of the university and Director of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Research Center; as well as persons-in-charge of all secondary units and faculty and student representatives of the university.
The ceremony was presided over by Cheng Yongqing, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee.
At the ceremony, Shan Hong delivered a speech on behalf of Shaanxi Writers Association. She extended her congratulations on theopening of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum, and expressed gratitude to all faculty and students of our university who devoted themselves to the construction of the museum, as well as friends from all walks of life who care for and support the development of literature in Shaanxi.She noted that Mr. Chen Zhongshi is an iconic figure of Shaanxi literature and an outstanding representative of contemporary Chinese realistic literature. The establishment of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum byXSYUembodies the university’s profound cultural sentiment and sense of responsibility. It is not only a sincere commemoration of the literary elder, but also a continuation of Shaanxi’s fine literary tradition of “rooting deep in life and staying close to the people”. The museum bears great significance for passing down and flourishing Shaanxi literature, and encouraging the “Shaanxi Literary Army” of the new era to reach new artistic heights.She stressed that Shaanxi Writers Association will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation withXSYU. It will give full play to literature’s role in providing spiritual guidance, continuously prosper new mass literary and artistic works in the internet era, and guide young students to get close to literature, develop a passion for it and devote themselves to literary creation. Writers will strive to tell touching Chinese and Shaanxi stories with heart and sincerity, spread positive voices in literary creation, and promote positive energy among young people.
Chang Jiang delivered a speech on behalf of the university and extended his gratitude to all guests attending the opening ceremony, the family of the late Mr. Chen Zhongshi and friends from all sectors who gave full support to the construction of the museum, as well as all teams, faculty and students who took part in its design, preparation and building work.He pointed out that Mr. Chen Zhongshi was a specially-appointed professor and Honorary Dean of the School of Humanities of our university. He lived and wrote on campus for fourteen years, signing many of his works with “ErfuZhuang”(the location of XSYU)at the end. Together with Mr. Zhao Jiping and Mr. Xu Jianming, he also co-created the school anthem “Brilliant Tomorrow forXSYU”.He emphasized that the university spent two years on planning and arrangement to build the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum. This initiative aims to cherish the profound bond forged over fourteen years as Mr. Chen stood side by side with the university through ups and downs and wholeheartedly nurtured students, carry forward his sincere literary conviction and noble moral integrity, and embody the university’s educational pursuit of building a “Cultural XSYU”.
Going forward,XSYUwill properly manage, fully utilize and well preserve this spiritual home. It will further explore the literary value and spiritual connotation of Mr. Chen Zhongshi, integrating them into the whole process of talent cultivation, campus cultural development and international cultural exchanges. Mr. Chen’s integrity and ideals will serve as an inexhaustible driving force for the high-quality development of the university. Marching forward courageously on the journey to build a “First-class, Cultural and Happy XSYU”,XSYUwill strive for new glories and live up to Mr. Chen’s expectations and entrustment.
Bai Ye extended his congratulations on the completion and opening of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum and expressed deep respect for the university’s initiative to build this venue.He pointed out that Xi’an Shiyou University, a multidisciplinary institution featuring petroleum and petrochemical disciplines, has constructed the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum, which fully demonstrates the university’s high regard for spiritual wealth. He hoped that taking exhibition and commemoration as its core functions, the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum would play a unique role in boosting the development of Chinese literature.
Chen Haili expressed his sincere gratitude to the university for its vigorous efforts in advancing the construction of the Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum, and recalled with deep affection the inseparable bond between his father Chen Zhongshi and the university.He hoped that the Literature Art Museum would become a warm cultural landmark on campus, enabling more young students to step into his father’s literary world, understand his profound attachment to rural land depicted in his works, and experience the power and warmth of literature. As a family member, he pledged to offer sustained support for the museum’s development in the years ahead. He wishes his father’s noble character and rigorous literary pursuit can integrate and thrive alongside the university’s campus culture, shining with ever brighter radiance.
In addition, Chen Yan, Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association and winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, sent a congratulatory letter for the opening ceremony.
In his concluding remarks, Cheng Yongqing emphasized that the establishment of the Museum serves not only as a permanent collection of Mr. Chen’s literaryachievements and noble spiritual character, but also an eternal tribute to the profound bond between Mr. Chen and Xi’an Shiyou University. It stands as a vital platform for the university to carry forward humanistic spirits and enrich its educational heritage.All faculty and students shall uphold the school motto of“Diligence in Learning, Earnestness in Practice; Self-improvement with Perseverance”, inherit the spirit embodied in the school anthem , draw strength from the long river of literature and art, and cultivate more new-era youngsters with lofty ideals, a strong sense of responsibility and profound humanistic sentiments.
Shan Hong, Gao Hongxia, Chang Jiang, Mu Tao, Chai Yanrong, Xiao Yunru, Bai Ye, Cheng Hai, Wu Kejing, He Gu, Bai Miao, Xing Xiaoli and Chen Haili jointly unveiled the plaque for the Museum.
Shan Hong, Gao Hongxia, Chang Jiang, Mu Tao, Chai Yanrong, Xiao Yunru, Bai Ye, Cheng Hai, Wu Kejing, He Gu, Bai Miao, Xing Xiaoli and Chen Haili jointly unveiled the plaque for the Museum.
After the ceremony, participating leaders and guests toured the museum in sequence and took group photos to mark the occasion. Following the tour, some guests attended a memorial meeting commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Mr. Chen Zhongshi.
Background of the Construction of Chen Zhongshi Literature Art Museum
The construction of the Museum stems from the profound 14-year bond between Mr. Chen Zhongshi and the university. Starting in 2002, upon the introduction and promotion of Professor Wang Xinjian from the School of Humanities, Mr. Chen was appointed as a resident specially-employed professor of the university. He settled down at his residence in ErfuZhuang, regarding it as his“second home”. Many of his works during this period were signed with“ErfuZhuang”at the end. In 2007, the university renewed his appointment as a specially-employed professor and appointed him Honorary Dean of the School of Humanities.
Over those fourteen years, Mr. Chen treated the campus as his own home. He collaborated with Mr. Xu Jianming to write the lyrics and with Mr. Zhao Jiping to compose the music for the school anthem. He devoted himself to nurturing talent through lectures, inscriptions and tutoring young teachers. Even when seriously ill, he never ceased caring about the university. To honor his outstanding contributions and deep affection for the school, with support from higher authorities and all sectors of society, the university officially launched preparations for the museum in 2024. After two years of planning and exhibition design, the museum officially opened on April 28, 2026.
The museum’s title was handwritten by Wang Meng, a“People’s Artist”. Centered on the theme“Stay True to Life, Pursue Truth Sincerely”, the museum boasts a total exhibition area of 623 square meters. It comprehensively unfolds Mr. Chen’s literary journey from a youth to a writer beloved by the people, and fully recreates the warm fourteen years he spent alongsideXSYU.The museum consists of core exhibition zones including the Cultural Corridor, Preface Hall, Fidelity to Life, Sincere Pursuit, A Multifaceted Life, Works Exhibition, Tales of White Deer Plain, Erfuzhuang Study, Bond with XSYU, Eternal Elegance and a Creation Workshop. A 1:1 full-scale replica of Mr. Chen’s writing study in Erfuzhuang is built inside, permanently preserving his literary spirit and artistic bearing.
In terms of collections, the museum houses 15 certificates, more than 400 volumes of books, 18 versions of manuscripts, 9 pieces of furniture and electrical appliances, and over 20 categories of daily working and living articles. These abundant and precious artifacts chronicle the full trajectory of Mr. Chen’s creative career from the Guanzhong loess land to the pinnacle of literature. They also embody his deep attachment to the yellow land and sincere affection for the university. For Xi’an Shiyou University, a university distinguished by engineering disciplines, the museum has accumulated profound humanistic heritage, and stands as an important venue for inheriting Mr. Chen’s literary spirit and advancing cultural education.
