Day Eight

[A Word from the Organizer]

To possess the memory of a bookstore is to possess an entire city.

It stands at the crossroads of dreams and reality. In that fleeting moment of pause, it offers a respite against the endless, hollow march of time. Here, the soul finds its home, no longer longing for distant soil. In this space, the encounters between people and books, as well as the encounters between people themselves, unfold in parallel. The meeting between person and book is a serendipity of wandering and solace; the meeting between person and person is a serendipity of listening and sharing.

In an age where digital convenience reigns and brick-and-mortar establishments fade, there are still those who believe in the value of sincere communication. Together, we will engage in a dialogue with the owner of Wanxiang Bookstore, delving into the survival challenges of independent bookstores in the tide of modernity, and reimagining the significance of bookstores in the lives of individuals. Join us as we peel back the layers of the independent bookstore’s existence.

We look forward to meeting those who, like us, believe in the power of books and the charm of bookstores.

[Event Schedule]

1. Participants share their personal stories with bookstores.  

2. Dialogue with the owner, exploring the survival struggles of bookstores.  

3. Reconstructing the significance of independent bookstores in our lives.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Once the lens of gender is gained, it is hard to lose."  

This clarity can be painful, for it forces us to confront what happens after Nora walks out.  

Yet, even in pain, it is better than the numbness of blind ignorance.

On the evening of June 11, we will gently step into the night of feminism through the eyes of the young, continuing the conversation left unfinished in "Night Talks of Wanxiang."

[Event Schedule]

 "Opening Icebreaker": Participants briefly introduce themselves.  

"Discussion": The host will present specific topics, using real-world examples to guide the group into deeper conversation.  

"Free Mingling": Participants receive a commemorative card from the event and are free to engage in informal conversation or leave at their discretion.

[A Word from the Organizer]

Every day we live in this world is sacred and worthy of gratitude.

"Your 'smallness' is no problem, for the world outside is vast enough." In the philosophy of life shared by Shinnobu Yoshii, a life built from the humble starting point of eight square meters becomes a bridge to the flourishing of human existence.

In every blade of grass and every tree, there is beauty; in every meal, a landscape. The fleeting encounters of daily life reveal the purity of sincerity and grace. And it is the rich, full, and three-dimensional souls that make us so deeply love the warmth and fire of human existence. The sense of belonging we find in the city arises from the quiet, yet warm, connections between us.

 On this summer morning, we will gather in the heart of Nanjing to read Eight Square Meters in Tokyo. Through its words, we will rediscover the memories of a city and, in doing so, glimpse a broader, more expansive way of living.

[Event Schedule]

1. Participants write keywords on sticky notes, capturing fragments of memories from Nanjing.  

2. The host will give a brief introduction to Eight Square Meters in Tokyo.  

3. Watch a video recorded by Shinnobu Yoshii for the book club.  

4. Through a random selection of sticky notes, participants will share stories of their own encounters in Nanjing, each lasting no more than 3 minutes.  

[A Word from the Organizer]

 Perhaps,  

You have seen them—those figures rushing by,  

Chasing time in the last rays of the setting sun.  

Collection marks the beginning of a story,  

Narration is the origin of understanding,  

Conversation is a flowing feast.

This Sunday, we invite you to step into the first-person perspective,  

And tell their stories.

[Event Schedule]

 1. Participants are asked to collect the story of a laborer, whose experience could come from Weibo, Douban, books, people around you, or films. Recommended reading: I Deliver Express in Beijing.  

2. On-site, participants will share the stories they’ve collected, telling them in the first-person. In the telling, you become the laborer.  

3. Before telling your story, you will extract a core theme from it, and throughout the event, interpret this keyword through the laborer's first-person perspective. Suggested keywords: Freedom, Efficiency, Life, Poverty.

[A Word from the Organizer]

Eternity emerges in the flow of lines, where time is momentarily shattered.  

Architecture is not only about aesthetics—it is a dialogue between history, philosophy, and humanity.  

Some eternities, built up in layers, are destroyed, fading into the unseen.  

And those wounds that cannot heal—these are the stories most difficult to tell.  

Yet, they will eventually be felt by tender souls, lingering in the eternal gaze for years to come.

[Event Schedule]

Guests will share their reflections on architecture and philosophy through conversation and questions.

[A Word from the Organizer]

 "Fate, as it is called, means that this 'human drama' requires all kinds of roles, and you can only be one of them, without the liberty to change." — Shi Tiesheng, Fragments of Illness

From the moment we are born, we begin writing the script of our lives. The themes of life and death seem to accompany us always, and life itself is forever worthy of our reverence. Everything we experience—whether in times of ease or hardship—becomes an inseparable part of our life’s narrative.  

So, what is the script of your life? And what are your thoughts on life and its meaning?  

How should we place life, living, freedom, and love in order of importance?

 We invite you to join our discussion, to reflect on those stories that both shock and move us, and to delve into this eternally valuable topic—life.

[Event Schedule]

Guests will share and discuss their reflections on life’s themes through conversation and questions.

[A Word from the Organizer]

Gazing at the somber sky, the rain taps gently on the window.

There is the confusion of “small” things—academics, life, relationships—that lingers in my heart.

Do my peers, like me, find themselves lost in the chaos of these matters?

Who are the people shrouded by the fog of the times, and who stands outside of it all?

[Event Schedule]

Each participant writes down a keyword, then draws randomly to share a story related to that keyword with the group.

[Participants’ Preparation]

1. What confuses you right now? Please prepare at least one keyword and a specific example to share the confusion you're facing.  

2. How do you usually face or cope with confusion during uncertain times?  

3. Among your peers, do you see any common struggles? What characteristics of the society or era you live in contribute to this collective confusion?  

Friendly Tip:You can expand your thoughts through books, movies, or conversations with people around you.  

Recommended Viewing: The Graduate

[A Word from the Organizer]

In this noisy world, we often find ourselves searching for a quiet corner, where we can listen to the voice of nature, slow our steps, and feel the power that words bring. Together, we will turn the pages of books, savor poetic passages, and share the insights that stir our hearts.  

Whether it's classical literature or nature writing, this will be a space for open, relaxed exchange. Let us gather on the lush green lawn, letting our thoughts take flight as we seek inner peace and resonance with one another.

[Event Schedule]

 "Segment 1"  

Each participant brings a physical book as their ticket to the event. Everyone will read a passage or quote from their book that resonates with the theme of "Nature's Reverie," and share their interpretation and the emotional impact it has had on them.

"Segment 2"  

Participants will be divided into four groups, each with one group leader. Each group will receive a keyword related to the theme of "Nature's Reverie" and will search the lawn for a plant that best embodies the essence of that keyword. Each member of the group must choose a way to document the plant they find (e.g., photography, sketching, poetry, writing, etc.).

"Segment 3"  

Afterward, each group will return to their original location to interpret the connection between the chosen plant and their assigned keyword, and share their documentation. Since each group will focus on a single plant, the process of discussion and exploration will hold great value in sharing different perspectives.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Some say that cheap things are only cheap, with nothing more to them; others say that expensive things are perfect, save for their price; and then there are those who say, 'You are what you buy…'"

In its general sense, consumerism refers to the pursuit of consumption beyond basic survival needs—an insatiable desire for material enjoyment. At the same time, consumerism is an integral part of the bourgeois morality in today’s society.

When people, influenced by advertisements of luxury goods and high-end products, continue to purchase items that exceed both their needs and their means, consumerism is pushed to ever greater heights.  

After the quiet lull of the pandemic, how has consumerism subtly reshaped our attitudes toward consumption? Is consumerism a trap set by capitalism, or a misguided policy? While consumerism drives domestic demand, what effects has it had on both individuals and society?

This Sunday, let us explore this value system that has accompanied us since the birth of trade—consumerism.

[Event Schedule]

1. Icebreaker: Each participant will introduce themselves and share their consumption habits.  

2. The host will present a case study, and guests will first analyze how consumerism is reflected in the case from an economic perspective. Participants are encouraged to discuss freely.  

3. Participants will discuss the causes of consumerism and analyze its impact on both individual and societal levels.  

4. The group will explore ways to counteract the negative effects of consumerism. Participants are welcome to ask the guests questions.

[A Word from the Organizer]

Time flies, and friendship, like a fine wine, only grows richer with age. Every reunion is a precious gift from the years that pass. To celebrate the deep bond we share, I warmly invite you to a cozy and unforgettable Old Friends dinner.

This evening is not just about food, but about reconnecting with our hearts and revisiting the memories that have shaped us. Together, we’ll relive the funny moments of the past, catch up on the present, and bask in the laughter and warmth that come with that long-lost, yet familiar, camaraderie.

Bring your smile and your stories—I can’t wait to spend this unforgettable night with all of you! Surrounded by good food and even better friendship, we’ll rediscover the small joys that belong to us alone.

 I look forward to sharing this long-awaited time with each of you, my dear friends.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"From the moment the umbilical cord is cut and the first cry rings out, 'relationship' becomes the vast web through which we gradually weave ourselves into the world. Within this web, 'intimate relationships' are undoubtedly the state where individuals harmoniously coexist with others in society."

Yet, as our social interactions multiply, intimate relationships seem to become increasingly blurred and difficult to untangle…

What, then, is a true intimate relationship? Is the bond between family members always an intimate one? What happens when a once-close relationship begins to loosen, and how do we navigate this change?

This Sunday, let us all ask one another. Through cross-generational dialogue, let’s uncover the stories behind every intimate relationship and explore the truth of what it means to be truly connected.

[Event Schedule]

1. Participants will be divided into two groups: middle school students and adults, each sitting on opposite sides of the round table.  

2. Each participant will select 1-2 dimensions—family, friendship, or love—and write two questions on cards, clearly marking which dimension each question belongs to.  

3. The host will collect the cards and randomly distribute them to participants from the other group. The questions will be categorized into family, friendship, and love, and participants will take turns answering them.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"In the age of new media, otome games reflect a longing for and absence of intimate relationships. These games center on female protagonists, with various male characters as potential romantic interests. As a representative of the 'her economy,' they also symbolize the rise of women's social status and their growing consumer power."

Yet, the deeper we immerse ourselves in these fabricated emotional bonds, the further we drift from genuine connection. This so-called "power reversal" is a construct of the business model, not a true resolution of the issues surrounding women’s positions in society.

What is the difference between virtual love and real relationships? Are otome games a utopia where women, disillusioned with reality, indulge in a capitalist fantasy of "girlhood dreams"? And what cultural constraints are the "she" behind these social structures facing?

 This Sunday, let us step into the world of otome games. In this virtual space, share your story with "him" and search for your own answers.

[Event Schedule]

After the host introduces the topic, we will engage in an open discussion.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"People travel across thousands of mountains but never learn the lessons. People gaze upon all things, yet gain no insight. People accumulate information and data, but find no true knowledge. People yearn for adventure and excitement, but in the midst of it, they remain unchanged. People gather friends and followers, yet never truly encounter another." 

In the writing of Han Byung-Chul, the difficulty in entering intimate relationships reflects a greater societal crisis: the disappearance of the other.

How does the other disappear? What role does the other play in our lives and society? Can the virtual world truly replace the other in our real lives?

This Sunday, let us explore the specific impact of the disappearance of the other on the construction of intimate relationships, and together seek possible solutions.

[Event Schedule]

1. Icebreaker  

2. Introduction to the sociology of social pathology  

3. Open discussion

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Man is a social animal. From the moment we are born, we are intricately connected to others in the world. Parents, teachers, friends, partners… From the child who can only express emotions through crying, to the first steps, the first day of school, the first time we awkwardly write down the events of our lives—none of this happens in isolation. It all comes from what we observe and learn through our relationships with others.

As infants, the first intimate relationship we experience is that of family. At that time, we possess what Mencius describes as the 'heart of an innocent child.' So why, as we grow, do we often feel that our intimate relationships are no longer pure, but fraught with difficulties?

This Sunday, let us voice our deepest confusions. Following in the footsteps of Socrates—'Know thyself'—let’s explore what we truly need from an intimate relationship and discover ways to change so we can love others, and ourselves, more fully."

[Event Schedule]

1. Icebreaker & Experience: Participants will reflect on a recent challenge they’ve faced in any intimate relationship, summarize it in one word, and write that word on the front of a small toy train.

2. Needs: Choose one keyword from "Understanding," "Care," "Interdependence," "Mutual Agreement," "Trust," or "Commitment," and write it on the middle carriage of the train. Then, connect this need to the previous challenge shared, and discuss how it relates.

3. Change: The toy trains will be randomly shuffled and distributed to different people. Each person will offer practical suggestions to the group based on the challenge described.

[A Word from the Organizer]

"When the memories of the past once again invade our present lives, they often appear in a form different from the one we once knew—sometimes more beautiful, sometimes more painful, sometimes more difficult to face. Behind this distortion, a 'real' past seems to stand in opposition to the 'memory' of the past.

But we must be bold enough to go further. Since the 'real' past is unreachable, let the meaning of the present reach back to the origin of time's river. The 'past' is far from over—it is always waiting for the 'now' to redefine it. Let us board the time machine, and within the memories and the narratives, the 'past' will be rewritten, re-understood, and finally, find its redemption. 

This Sunday, let us break through the barriers of time, speak of the beauty or the wounds of the past, and in the warmth and kindness of others, seek the reasons behind your lingering attachment to what has gone. Let’s shift the focus from clinging to memories to embracing the love of the present."

[Event Schedule]

 1. Icebreaker  

2. Memory & Expression: Participants will share a memory they find hard to let go of, discuss the impact it has had on them, and reflect on how they view it now.  

3. Analysis & Dialogue: Participants will randomly choose another person's card and engage in a conversation about their shared story.

4. Open Sharing

[A Word from the Organizer]

"There is a famous saying: 'The past is a foreign country.' To visit the past is like traveling to a foreign land. The people there are somewhat like us, yet somewhat unlike us. Observing them can deepen our understanding of ourselves."

In historian Luo Xin's view, understanding the present and the individual is inseparable from an awareness of the past and society. Can we truly escape the past and live fully in the present? What role do individual and collective memories play in our lives? How is an individual's life shaped by the time and space they inhabit?

This Sunday, let us explore how the past, nostalgia, memory, and the fabric of time and space shape our present. Together, we’ll reflect on how these influences impact our lives.

[Event Schedule]

1. Self-introduction & Icebreaker  

2. Introduction to Social Pathology Topics  

3. Open Discussion  

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Every word written is a letter to oneself, a personal Remembrance of Things Past. The most precious moments of life can never truly be expressed, for we know that time will inevitably slip away. And so, we repeatedly lie down in the body of yesterday, gathering the fragmented pieces of memory."

This Sunday, let us journey back through the pages of our journals, growing from the past.

[Event Schedule]

1. Icebreaker  

2. Sharing Session: Participants will share excerpts from their diaries or reflect on their experience of revisiting them (electronic or handwritten).  

3. Group Reading: The organizer will share diary fragments from various authors.  

4. Open Discussion

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Palliative care is a product of technological advancement. As medical technology has evolved, death has come to be viewed as not just a biological stage, but as a matter of medical limits and ethical choices. This shift has often caused medicine to fail those it was meant to help.

Palliative care is not simply humanistic care. Excessive 'humanization' has filled the field with so-called 'experts,' leaving us to wonder where the true specialists stand.

Palliative care is not only a concern for the elderly. Psychological experiments have shown that when people are asked to imagine their own impending death, the choices of the young are no different from those of the elderly—there is no age distinction.

 This Sunday, what do we truly need to understand about palliative care?"

[Event Schedule]

1. Icebreaker  

2. Role-playing: Participants will randomly draw a flower (each flower represents a different perspective), and use this perspective to answer the question: What is palliative care?  

3. Organizational Sharing: The organizer will share thoughts on the book The Best Goodbye and an interview with Dr. Zhou, head of the Palliative Care Department at Mingji Hospital.  

4. Open Discussion

[A Word from the Organizer]

"Whether it is the figures in books, full of faith and strength, or the vibrant, tangible presences we encounter in life, every person who crosses our path becomes a part of us and, in the end, shapes who we are.

In the course of your growth,  have you ever met someone who changed the course of your life?

This evening, we invite you to share your story."

[Event Schedule]

Through conversation and questions, we will explore and discuss the theme together.

[The Bridge of Understanding and Expressing Humanity]

“If conversation exceeds the limits of understanding, it may become a form of destruction, a kind of display.”  

— Alice Munro

The concept of "Madness Literature" originates from the internet, aiming to channel emotional release through an accumulation of illogical, fragmented words. Slogans like "Rather than internal conflict, why not just go mad?" have become social strategies among the youth, a way to define themselves in the digital age.

However, beyond the realm of online media, "Madness Literature" has broader potential in classical literature, modern poetry, novels, essays, avant-garde drama, and philosophy. Its influence transcends borders and eras. Writers, with their profound insights, delve into the liminal states of the human psyche, slowly peeling back the hidden wounds buried deep within the individual.

 We invite guest speaker Chen Qi to lead a textual observation experiment on "Madness Literature" as part of the Archway Project. From this starting point, we will attempt to dissect how the written word itself can become a bridge for understanding and expressing human nature.

[A Understanding Deeper Than Empathy]

In a world where the call to "love concrete individuals" is ever-present, one might ask: is there a better way to understand than empathy? Is there a practice more sincere than loving the individual in front of us?

As early as December 1934, when Simone Weil decided to immerse herself in factory life, she had already provided her answer. Whether observing and recording the harsh realities of factory workers from the perspective of an eyewitness, or writing letters with a strikingly cold and direct pen to address the core of the issue, her text reveals an unyielding pursuit of truth, freedom, and equality in every word.

In moments where the body and mind are torn by pain, she never ceased, beyond thought, in her efforts to seek a possibility for change.

[Event Guidelines]

 This event does not have a guiding instructor. As the organizers, we are two high school sophomores with no experience in practical philosophy, and thus cannot offer a professional interpretation.

 We acknowledge that Weil’s writing represents wisdom that transcends our current understanding, yet driven by our fascination with the text and our passion for inquiry, we have decided to host this discussion as initiators.

 During the event, we will explore selected passages from the book, and engage in collective interpretation with the participants. There is no need to read the book in advance. There are no right answers here—participants will serve as guides for one another.

【A Formal Farewell】

No need to seek wishes in distant lands,  

Is today reality, or just a dream?  

Has growth turned into a gift, or merely a beautiful wrapping?  

Youth in memory,  

Still like hibiscus in midsummer’s dream.  

Darling, do you miss me?  

Darling, do you miss yourself?

 — An Pu, "The Best Time"

In a People magazine report, there’s the story of a 24-year-old girl, Qi Shu. She organized a "Virtual Life Auction" at a small island bookstore, where 30 auction items related to human values were up for bid, and the event concluded with a virtual funeral, accompanied by the sound of crashing waves.

Qi Shu said, "Each participant seriously bid farewell to their past self. We were able to approach death with more peace, and cherish the life we have now."

At the Arcade, we hold this "Virtual Life Auction" with the same expectations. Each participant will receive a set amount of virtual currency to bid on pre-selected items. Though we may not have the gentle sea breeze of the island bookstore, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, we can still hear our own hearts—this is the most real, pure sound.

Limited by the constraints of life, trapped in a maze with no way out, amid the countless layers of choices, the answers will eventually come.