A recent recitation gathers lovers of literature, who discuss the works of Chinese author Lao She. [Photo/WeChat account: qdweishinan]

A public recitation entitled "Reading Masterpiece · Taste of Shinan" was held on Jan 25 in the Shinan district of Qingdao city – located in East China's Shandong province – to commemorate the 123rd anniversary of the birth of the famous Chinese writer, Lao She.

The event was staged at the Museum of the Rickshaw Boy, at No 12 Huangxian Road. It was once the residence of Lao She -- or Shu Qingchu -- who lived there in the 1930s when he was a teacher at the Chinese Department of the National Shandong University. At the time, Lao She wrote the novel Rickshaw Boy and other memorable literary works, such as Dr Wen and My Whole Life. 

At the event, lecturer Liu Yiqing and museum curator Wang Yong shared their insights into Lao She's life, work and masterpieces written in Qingdao.  

"We hope to strengthen the protection and inheritance of Qingdao's excellent traditional culture through an in-depth exploration of Shinan culture -- and light up the city's culture with deeper reading and thinking," said an event organizer.