Spring gathering to celebrate literature

In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a centuries-old literary ritual is making a return this spring — the tradition of airing out books under the sun.

On April 19, Tianyi Pavilion, the oldest existing private library in Asia, will host a cultural event where rare books are brought into the public eye. The event echoes a classic practice once used by Chinese scholars: exposing books to sunlight to preserve them from insects and humidity while fostering scholarly exchange. Today, the ritual has been reimagined as a celebration of literature, reflection, and community.

Dozens of private collectors will display selections from their treasured libraries. These include traditional Chinese medicine texts, ancient zither scores, family genealogies, and illustrated classics. Presented in the bright spring air, these collections offer a rare chance to observe the material richness and historic depth of books rarely seen outside personal archives.

Visitors will also hear from collectors who will share the stories behind their volumes and the traditions they carry. In addition to the displays, a reading salon hosted in collaboration with a local book club will explore the meaning and value of reading in the AI era, sparking cross-generational conversations about the place of literature in a rapidly digitalizing world.

A range of book-inspired experiences — interactive storytelling, creative workshops, and a guided tour through the pavilion's cultural history — will take participants on a literary journey.