The first Salon of Arts and Humanities was hosted by Tsinghua SEM on March 23, 2011 as a part of the celebration for Tsinghua University’s 100th anniversary.

The first Salon featured writer and screenwriter Ms. WAN Fang, daughter of CAO Yu, a well-known Chinese playwright. During the event, Ms. WAN Fang carried out a series of conversation with Dean QIAN Yingyi of SEM on various topics. Participants of the event also included Professor LIU Shisheng and students from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures of Tsinghua University.

Ms. WAN Fang and Dean QIAN Yingyi talk on the Salon

Dean QIAN Yingyi explained the purpose of the Salon. “Humanities serve as the soul of higher education,” he said. Students are expected to build knowledge in humanities through the salon series and constantly refine their taste.

WAN Fang reviewed CAO Yu’s life at Tsinghua University. The time at Tsinghua, according to WAN Fang, was the most joyful period of CAO Yu’s life. He used to read in the university library every day, immerging in western literatures and plays. It is in Tsinghua Library that he wroteThunderstorm, one of his most successful plays at the age of 23.

Ms. WAN Fang

CAO Yu exerted subtle influence on WAN Fang. Since she was very young, CAO Yu began to take her to the plays, cultivating in her an accurate sense of dramatic art. During difficult times in her writing, WAN Fang would think of her father’s words: “writers need high aspirations,” for only by comparing one’s work with the ideal would one know where the shortage lies.

After the conversation, WAN Fang had a Q&A session with the audience. “Slow it down whenever you can,” she said, “savor the taste of life with a full heart.”

Q&A session