Philosopher Karl Marx gets remake on campus
Joining in creative activities to celebrate German philosopher Karl Marx’s spirit and thoughts can not only enrich the cultural life of a campus, but also greatly benefit scholars, according to student representatives of the Marxism Department of Northeast Normal University.
Northeast Normal University has been popularizing the scientific theory of Marxism — rated by supporters as the most valuable and influential spiritual assets that Marx left posterity — through a series of colorful campus activities.
These have sought to translate the advanced theory into practice, and help learning the classics become more fashionable on campus, said Pang Lisheng, director of the university’s Marxism department.
Pang said that as a result of the activities, college students had increased their interest in learning the theoretical studies of Marxism, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Party’s 19th National Congress through the activities.
These school-based activities, Pang added, also enhanced students’ knowledge and thinking abilities.
“We will set up some practical education bases in Jilin province next, to carry out various activities targeting students in different terms, to fully understand the classics,” Pang said.
Cai Yuan, a teacher in the university’s Marxism department, said the campus had employed imaginative activities, in order to actively integrate the study of traditional culture with theoretical studies.
It had organized several Chinese calligraphy activities, in which students wrote from a book featuring Xi Jinping’s 148 quotes from his articles and speeches from ancient Chinese stories and classics.
“Students can learn the quotes’ original meanings and their present-day significance actively and effectively in this way,” Cai said.
Zhang Baoyuan is a graduate student in the university’s Marxism department who was an enthusiastic participant in the activities.
Zhang took part in an activity to present a public speech themed on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
“I felt so excited to join in because it combined our interest in the theory of Marxism and our planning for future development.
“In addition, we shared our feelings after the activity and learned from each other, turning theory into practice and improving our understanding of the classics, which means a lot to college students,” Zhang said.
Bayinchaolu, Party secretary of Jilin province, visited the university and attended classics study activities about Marx’s deeds on May 8.
He said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is China’s Marxism in the 21st century, with the originality and features of the era.