On March 31, the inauguration ceremony of Jinyin Street’s International Youth Cultural Block and the opening ceremony of NJU Multicultural Art Festival were held. Zou Yajun, Standing Member of the CPC NJU Committee and Vice President of NJU, Xiong Jun, Deputy Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, and Fang Jing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Gulou District Committee and District Mayor, attended the events.

Zou said that NJU at Gulou, located in the city’s center, is the cultural root of NJU and a landmark for Gulou in a city famous for its cultural history and modern innovation. Upgrading Gulou campus and the surrounding communities is thus not only an intrinsic requirement for campus construction, but also an instrumental step in the city construction. NJU elements will be designed and integrated into the renovation of Jinyin Street, helping to introduce the school’s history and culture through multiple methods. Open space for exhibition and events will be available to students and faculties, with the aim of creating a new environment and experience of the “University + Culture + Leisure” mode. It is expected that with joint efforts, the area will be built into a cultural center of creativity, inclusiveness, beauty, humanity, and quality.

Fang pointed out that Jinyin Street pioneers an integrated pattern, blazing a trail that involves governmental sponsorship, state property operation, and NJU community’s shared governance. In precisely adjusting and relieving space, breakthroughs may be achieved, and new cooperation mechanisms of mutual negotiation and multiparty coordination gradually formed. Fang sincerely hoped that under the guidance of relevant provincial and municipal departments, as well as the close support from NJU, Jinyin Street may be built into an example that inspires the construction of youthful business districts around universities and further distinguish new commercial brands for Gulou.

Yu Jian, Standing Member of the CPC Gulou District Committee and Deputy District Mayor, introduced the blueprint of the cultural block. The District government will constantly improve creativity through deepened school-local integration, stimulate internal demand through upgraded supply, and enhance sustainability through promoted urban dynamics.

The event also included the inauguration of the NJU-Gulou Jinyin Street Co-Creation Space and the establishment of the Corner Store Economic Development Alliance. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a multinational cultural performance presented by the Johns Hopkins-University-NJU Center for Chinese and American Studies, and NJU School of Overseas Education.

Translator: Xia Yiyang

Editors: Chen Xing, He Yao