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Event Venue
On the morning of August 29, 2026, two events of the 2026 Literary Alliance Shanghai Literature Season—the “When Cities Become Memories” QIU HUADONG COLLECTION (Vol. II) Shanghai Sharing Event and the launch of the Digital Assets of China's Literary Masters Initiative—were held concurrently at Dayin Jingshe in Shanghai, marking an important exploration of the convergence of literary publishing and digital assets.
Published by Baihuazhou Literature and Art Publishing House, the QIU HUADONG COLLECTION (Vol. II) brings together Qiu Huadong’s major works, including novels and collections of novellas and short stories, offering a comprehensive portrait of his literary career. His creative landscape has continued to expand across time and space, tracing a distinct journey from contemporary urban experience, through historical imagination, and ultimately toward a spiritual homeland.
At the session, Qiu Huadong reflected on his literary path. He began by writing about the desires, anxieties, and alienation experienced by young people in contemporary cities. After turning thirty, a stronger historical consciousness led to the Chinese Screens series, Everlasting Life, and Ten Swordsmen. In recent years, he has turned his attention to the history of the Western Regions, using works such as Chronicle of the Empty City, A Long Song of Kucha, and Dunhuang Transformations to portray ancient cities and the fates of their inhabitants. He described this shift not as a change of direction, but as a natural extension of urban experience, youthful memories, and historical imagination.
Guests at the event discussed the works from a range of perspectives. Zhang Zhe, Recipient of the 8th Lu Xun Literary Prize and Chair of the Chongqing Writers Association, spoke of the warmth that companionship brings to the literary world. Wu Jun, Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, approached the work from a scholarly perspective, observing that Qiu's writing has the qualities of oral storytelling and has helped shape the form of the contemporary Chinese novel.
Event Introduction by President Chen Bo
At the launch, Chen Bo, President of Baihuazhou Literature and Art Publishing House, shared the vision behind the initiative. He noted that the publishing house has long sought to connect literature with painting and artistic design. For the QIU HUADONG COLLECTION, Lei Ziren, Professor and PhD Supervisor at the China Academy of Art, was invited to create the cover and interior artwork. Through discussions with Prof. Ying Fangtian, Director General of the World Eco-Design Organization and Fellow of the European Academy of Engineering, the two sides developed the idea of transforming literary works into digital art collectibles. This led to an innovative model in which literature serves as the intellectual core, artworks as the tangible expression, and digital collectibles as a new medium for dissemination—expanding the reach of literature while exploring new possibilities for integrating print books with digital assets. Prof. Ying Fangtian noted that transforming literary classics into digital assets with verifiable ownership and potential for circulation can open new channels for literary dissemination while providing a practical example of unlocking the value of cultural data.
Speech by Prof. Ying Fangtian
At the event, the digital collectibles based on the QIU HUADONG COLLECTION were officially launched. All 30,000 editions were claimed within three seconds, highlighting the strong public interest in exploring new digital forms of literary expression.
Group Photo
Baihuazhou Literature and Art Publishing House and TheOne. Art will continue to deepen their collaboration, with plans to develop digital assets for more works by leading Chinese writers. The inaugural Shanghai Literature Season of the 2026 Arts and Literature Alliance will also feature a series of upcoming literary events, offering readers more opportunities for literary engagement and exchange.
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