Beijing Nostalgia

Author: Qi Rushan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: He gazes back at his hometown and homeland with longing, and his nostalgia for stories and people lingers. Why does he hold his "Beijing" so dear? A volume of "Nostalgia" offers guidance for preserving memories. It includes five books, all focusing on the "old" aspects of Beijing. Whether it's the grand portrayal of the ancient capital in "Beijing," the gentle description of folk customs in "Nostalgia for Beijing," or the cherished anecdotes in "Beijing's Minor Folklore," all are truly beautiful—even the beauty of a waning moon. "On Peking Opera" and "A Study of Beijing's Hundred Plays" are even more about seeking and preserving the source of art. What remains on the pages for today are like keys to door locks, waiting for those who seek passage, and also for those who aim to excel. It is a work of depth among nostalgia pieces, and a work of profound knowledge among regional studies. Qi Rushan, in his later years, indulged in nostalgia, and he felt uneasy if he did not record it. To remember the wind of Beijing, one must recall how it swept across the nation in joy, and the wind of China. To remember the soil of Beijing, one must recall how it was piled up in mounds, the five-colored soil. Even if one only wants to understand a reconstructed Beijing city and a group of authentic Beijing people, this book is worth reading. Moreover, friends come from afar, and Beijing has long been the "capital" where east meets west. Furthermore, as Confucius said, "By learning the old, one can know the new, and thus one can be a teacher."