To further promote and convey the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, as well as to boost cultural confidence, the 2024 Lu Xun Culture Forum was held in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The forum aimed to explore how to utilize new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to carry forward the Lu Xun spirit, and strengthen cultural confidence in the face of rapid technological advancements. Prof. Xiaogang Ye, the founding dean of the School of Music, was invited to attend the forum and deliver a speech. The forum brought together nearly 200 leaders, experts, and scholars, including Qi Xuchun, serving as the vice chairperson of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Shang Yong, Standing Committee Member of the CPPCC and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management of the People’s Republic of China, and Long Xinmin, serving as the Standing Committee Member of the 12th National Committee of CPPCC, former director of the General Administration of Press and Publication.

Group Photo of the 2024 Lu Xun Culture Forum

On 25 September 2012, the Lu Xun Cultural Foundation was officially established under the joint initiative of the governments of Beijing, Shanghai, Shaoxing, and the Lu Xun families with approval from the leaders of the central government. And the Lu Xun Cultural Forum focuses on promoting Lu Xun's spirit and advancing modern Chinese cultural innovation. Over the years, several national-level projects and academic initiatives were launched, and public cultural activities were held, which contributed to a unique national cultural brand that has widespread influence both at home and abroad, receiving full recognition and strong support from the Party and the authorities.

At the forum, Prof. Xiaogang Ye, on behalf of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (the governing body of the Lu Xun Cultural Foundation) and as the composer of the symphony Lu Xun, extended warm congratulations to the forum.

Prof. Xiaogang Ye extended warm congratulations to the forum

Prof. Ye shared his story with Lu Xun. His connection with Lu Xun's works traced back to his youth, when he was an apprentice at a factory. With his first month's salary, he purchased a complete set of Lu Xun's Works. From then on, the small booklets accompanied him everywhere, and whenever he had time, he would carefully read them. "I have always had a deep affection for Lu Xun's writing," Prof. Ye reflected. "His works deeply influenced and shaped my writing style." This experience inspires him to compose the symphony work Lu Xun. Filled with enthusiasm and love from the youth, Prof. Ye visited various places associated with Lu Xun's life, including his former residence in Shaoxing, the woodcutting workshop in Hongkou, Shanghai, and the Lu Xun Memorial Museum in Beijing. These visits helped him immerse himself in the turbulent times that Lu Xun lived through, ensuring that his symphonic work could faithfully reflect Lu Xun's spirit and literary value. Prof. Ye wrote with deep affection, "In the timeless space of history, Lu Xun is an eternal light in my heart. He not only brought the meaning of life but also allowed all of us to experience the rules of the universe."

Prof. Ye's symphony Lu Xun incorporates traditional Chinese instruments including the bamboo flute, pipa, and xun (Chinese: 埙), skillfully blending these with Western musical elements. Through this, he successfully created an innovative artistic image of Lu Xun, realizing the dialogue between Eastern and Western music through bridging both cultures.

Prof. Xiaogang Ye at the concert of symphony Lu Xun in 2017

In his speech, Prof. Ye noted that, in June of last year, President Xi Jinping proposed the "new cultural mission" for the era in the context of cultural inheritance and development. He called for promoting cultural prosperity, building a culturally strong nation, and constructing a modern Chinese civilization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China further stressed the need to boost cultural confidence, develop an advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture, and carry forward traditional Chinese culture while moving faster to stay abreast of new dramatic developments in information technology, which urge cultural workers to seize the moment, keep up with the times, face challenges, and innovate for progress.

Prof. Xiaogang Ye's Keynote Speech

Prof. Ye also emphasized that this forum brought together leaders from central and local authorities, prominent figures from the cultural community, AI experts, and entrepreneurs—a gathering of talents and minds. He expressed his hope that all participants would exchange ideas and inspire one another, working together to contribute to the development of modern Chinese civilization, enhance the global influence of Chinese culture, and enhance inclusivity and mutual learning among world civilizations.

During the forum, Prof. Ye and other participants had in-depth discussions centering on topics including "Using China's Excellent Culture to Guide the Future Development of AI," "Data Security in the Age of Digital Intelligence," "AI Empowering the Building of a Country with Strong Culture" and "AI Accelerating the Construction of New-Quality Productive Forces in the Cultural Field." The forum concluded with the release of the Qingdao West Coast Initiative: AI Supporting the Construction of Modern Chinese Civilization (Chinese: AI助力中华民族现代文明建设——青岛西海岸倡议).

The success of this forum not only provides an important opportunity for Prof. Ye to commemorate Lu Xun, but also makes a great contribution to the integration of Lu Xun’s Spirit with modern technology, and further advances the innovative development of the Chinese culture.

2024 Lu Xun Culture Forum