A Beacon Silenced, a Legacy Reborn
Jifeng Bookstore wasn't just a bookstore; for two decades, it was a cornerstone of China's intellectual landscape. With eight branches at its peak, Jifeng fostered a love of reading and critical thinking through meticulously curated selections in social sciences and humanities, alongside vibrant cultural events. Lectures, forums, readings, and independent documentary screenings pulsed with intellectual energy, drawing in over hundreds of thousands of attendees in its final five years.
However, Jifeng's commitment to open dialogue clashed with a tightening grip on free expression. When told in advance of its fate of having to close on Jan. 31, 2018, it held a 283-day long countdown.
The Last Night
The bookstore's last night was a testament to its spirit. Readers from across China converged, bringing flowers, choosing books, and reciting poems in a silent show of solidarity. Faced with the darkness that followed being cut off and a heavy police presence, these patrons refused to be silenced. They injected joy and hope into the darkness. Phones became flashlights, bookshelves adorned with LED lights, and the bookstore hummed with life anew. A young man's piano serenade, a circle of dancers swaying to the music, and a chorus of voices singing farewell resonated through the night.
Jifeng's story resonated globally, featured in The Economist, Voice of America, The National Interest, and The New Yorker. The bookstore's demise became a symbol of a stifled civil society.
Jifeng Rises Again
Today, Jifeng Bookstore finds a new home in Washington D.C. This isn't just a revival; it's a continuation of its legacy. While Chinese literature remains a cornerstone, Jifeng will also showcase English-language works exploring China and celebrate the voices of Asian-Americans. Beyond books, Jifeng will once again be a platform for diverse cultural events, fostering connections through knowledge, ideas, and the shared human spirit.
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