Part IV Elegant Tastes

Group One: Fond for Suzhou Pingtan；Group Two: Love for Calligraphy;Group Three: Interest in Photography;Group Four: Stroll in Bamboo Forest

Chen Yun stuck to the principles and took work seriously, while he was a man of humor and elegant tastes in his daily life. Despite of busy work, he would take time to indulge himself in calligraphy, photography and Suzhou Pingtan as well as take a stroll in the bamboo forest, which brought him inner tranquility and great pleasure. The Chinese lute, four treasures of the study, the camera and tapes of Suzhou Pingtan unveil Chen’s interests and hobbies. In 1985, Chen Yun was already 80 years old and became quite feeble. The health physician suggested Chen Yun to take exercise considering of his physical strength. Later, Chen Yun chose calligraphy. It became one of his exercise methods to keep fitness and do self-cultivation in his twilight years. The Historical Relics Hall exhibits Chen Yun’s four treasures of the study: two large- and medium-sized white writing brushes, 20.5cm and 18.2cm long. Shanghai Craft” is written on the brushes. The medium-sized one was exclusively used for signature; a stack of octavo Chinese art paper; plastic-bottled “Yide Pavilion” ink. The ink bottle is 6.5cm long, 4.2cm wide and 17.2cm high; a black, square plastic ink box. With some silk floss put inside, it serves as a inkstone. To remain fit, Chen Yun was serious about calligraphy practice. Every morning, his staff would see him stand in front of the desk to write calligraphy in calm with his wrist hanging in the air. At first, he persisted in practicing for about half an hour. As he grew old, it was not good for him to stand for a long time. Listening to the doctor’s suggestion, he shortened the practicing time to twenty minutes or so, then to ten minutes. However, no matter he practiced for half an hour or ten minutes, he would concentrate on the moments of practicing the calligraphy. Modest as he was, he would ask his staff and family to make remarks on his work and to point out where needs further improvement. Chen Yun had been practicing calligraphy for ten years until he was 90 years old. Practicing calligraphy had been his daily routine. In June, 1994, when Chen Yun was nearly 90 years old, he was hospitalized. Despite of that, he still brought the four treasures of the study to his ward. Yet, at that time, he was not as physically able as before. Even so, he would still practice calligraphy for one or two papers when he was in good shape in the morning. We can visualize the picture of silver-haired man standing in front of the desk with his wrist hanging in the air, wrote down words camly and peacefully, “The Party’s cause matters above personal fame and wealth”. Chen Yun and his spiritual wealth will long be remembered by later generations.

Although Chen Yun passed away, long lives his spirit. He will be missed and his spirit will be carried forward. Chen Yun’s noble qualities and great personality are the spiritual values of the Party and the nation. He is an everlasting monument standing firm in the hearts of all ethnic groups. He inspires us to keep forging ahead to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.