'Henan, Where China Began' Online Themed Campaign Kicks Off in Luoyang

Embrace the Cultural Gala!

'Henan, Where China Began' Online Themed Campaign Kicks Off in Luoyang

共赴文化盛宴！“何以中国 行走河南”网络主题宣传活动在洛阳启动

On the evening of August 15th, the "Henan, Where China Began" online themed campaign was launched at the Erlitou Xia Capital Museum in Luoyang. The event featured a stage shaped like the Chinese character "中" (zhōng) and a splendid performance showcasing the profoundness and splendor of Henan to the world.

大河网讯 盛世中华，何以中国。此时，在“中”字形舞台上，一场精彩纷呈的节目，向世界讲述着河南的厚重与辉煌……8月15日晚，“何以中国 行走河南”网络主题宣传活动在洛阳二里头夏都遗址博物馆拉开序幕。

It is guided by the Cyberspace Administration of China and organized by the Publicity Department of the Henan Provincial Committee, the Cyberspace Administration of the Henan Provincial Committee, Henan Daily Newspaper Group, the Federation of Literary and Art Circles of Henan Province, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Henan Province, the Bureau of Cultural Relics of Henan Province, Henan Broadcasting System, Zhongyuan Publishing Group, and the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the Luoyang Municipal Committee.

本次活动由中央网信办网络传播局指导，河南省委宣传部、河南省委网信办、河南日报社、河南省文学艺术界联合会、河南省文化和旅游厅、河南省文物局、河南省广播电视台、中原出版集团、洛阳市委网信委主办。

Highlighting Henan's Central Role in Chinese Philosophy and Geography on the Zhong-Shaped Stage

“中”字形舞台，讲述“何以为中”

"The Chinese civilization spans five thousand years, with its roots in the Central Plains where the Yellow River and the Luo River meet. Since ancient times, rulers have chosen this central land, and today the ancient capital reveals a new face..."

“华夏文明五千年，根在中原河洛间。自古君主择中土，今日古都绽新颜……”

The yueyaban (a moon-shaped cymbal) sounds clear and crisp. The zhuihu (a Chinese musical instrument) plays melodiously and long. Zhang Huaisheng, a representative inheritor of the Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage project, Heluo Narrative Drum, performed the piece "Establishing the capital in the heartland", immersing all the guests in the rhythm and charm of the drum and storytelling.

月牙板声音清脆，坠胡乐音悠扬，河南省非物质文化遗产项目河洛大鼓代表性传承人张怀生一曲《择中建都》，让全场嘉宾沉浸在鼓声书韵当中。

"The idea of being at the heart of heaven and earth prompts the question: What defines the 'center'? The quest for the 'center' is not merely a spatial inquiry but also embodies the profound cosmological, philosophical, and cultural perspectives of the Chinese civilization." Zhang Jin, Dean of the Institute for Heritage Conservation and Urban-Rural Development at the Tsinghua Tongheng Planning Institute in Beijing, shared insights on "Establishing the capital in the heartland".

“天地之中，何以为中？这不仅是一个地理概念，更是华夏民族的宇宙观、哲学观和文化观的集中体现。”北京清华同衡规划院遗产保护与城乡发展分院院长张瑾现场分享学术报告《择中建都》。

According to Zhang Jin, choosing the central land for the capital reflects both the ancients' understanding of the cosmos, philosophy, and culture, as well as the significant position of Henan in the history and culture of China.

在张瑾看来，“天地之中，择中建都”不仅体现了古人对宇宙、哲学和文化的理解，也反映了河南在中国历史和文化中的重要地位。

His understanding has inspired the Zhong-shaped stage design of this launch ceremony.

而这正是此次启动仪式舞台设计为“中”字形的灵感来源之一。

The stage features two interlocking scrolls that display ever-changing scenes and colors, weaving the rich tapestry of Chinese culture into a series of flowing paintings that symbolize the long and enduring history of Chinese civilization.

舞台采用两幅十字交叠的卷轴造型，在不断变换的场景与色彩里，把浩瀚灿烂的中华文化绘制于一幅幅流动的中国画里，寓意中华文明的源远流长。

In the interplay of light and shadow, the Zhong-shaped stage seems to come to life, immersing the performing guests in a setting that feels like a living painting. This design not only reflects the theme of “Henan, Where China Began” but also highlights the soul of the Chinese nation and the allure of its history, vividly showcasing the enduring charm of Chinese civilization.

光影交错间，“中”仿佛有了生命，现场嘉宾置身其间，犹在画中游。这一舞美设计，既体现了“何以中国 行走河南”主题，又展现了华夏之魂、历史之韵，充分体现中华文明的无穷魅力。

Exploring the Roots of Henan through Time and Culture

回望历史星河，探“源”河南大地

At the launch ceremony, the four major thematic sections unfold sequentially: "Exploring the Roots of the Nation", "Exploring the Roots of Rituals", "Exploring the Roots of Literature", and "Exploring the Roots of Virtue". The event offers a cultural visual feast through diverse forms such as guest storytelling, talent showcases, scene reenactments, artistic performances, and digital interactions.

启动仪式上，“探·国之源”“探·礼之源”“探·文之源”“探·德之源”四大主题篇章徐徐展开，通过嘉宾讲述、达人推介、情景再现、文艺表演以及数字互动等多种形式，呈现了一场文化视觉盛宴。

"Henan is situated in the heart of the Central Plains, offering a strategic advantage with easy access to tributes from all directions. This aligns with the ancient principle of 'choosing the center for the capital,'" said Zhang Jin.

“河南处于中原腹地，‘四方入贡道里均’的地理优势，符合古人‘择中建都’的理念。”张瑾说。

From the melodious Jiahu bone flute to the majestic bronze ritual vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and the refined elegance of the Zhou dynasty's rites and music system, the culture of rites and music has flowed ceaselessly through this ancient land. It has nourished successive generations of Chinese, ensuring the enduring and flourishing legacy of Chinese civilization.

从贾湖骨笛的悠扬乐声，到夏商青铜礼器的庄重辉煌，再到周代礼乐制度的完善与升华……礼乐文化如同一条奔腾不息的河流，滋养着一代又一代的华夏儿女，让中华文明得以延绵不绝、生生不息。

"Henan is a significant birthplace and a shining pearl of that rich tradition of ritual and music culture," said Ma Xiaolin, the director of the Henan Museum, with emotion.

“河南，是这股礼乐文化源流的重要发源地与璀璨明珠。”河南博物院院长马萧林动情地说。

From the earliest Chinese script, the Oracle Bone Inscriptions, to the ancient philosophers including Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Han Feizi, Henan province is home to nearly one-fifth of the historical figures documented in the Twenty-Four Histories.

从已知中国最早的文字甲骨文，到老子、庄子、韩非子等先贤诸子，“二十四史”记载的历史人物中，河南籍占近五分之一。

Henan, as a cradle of cultural sages, bears the genetic code of the enduring Chinese civilization, according to Tang Jigen, a distinguished professor at Southern University of Science and Technology and former head of the Anyang Archaeological Team at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

在南方科技大学讲席教授、中国社会科学院考古研究所原安阳考古队长唐际根看来，作为圣贤辈出的文化高地，河南承载着中华文明延续传承的基因密码。

The land of China is a birthplace of heroes, where innumerable cultural luminaries have risen.

神州大地，英雄辈出。在中华大地上，涌现出了数不胜数的文化名人。

China is a land rich in heroes, where countless cultural luminaries have emerged throughout history. Henan, in particular, has long been a cradle for many wise figures. Leng Song, a researcher at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlights Henan's deep cultural roots and significant historical foundation. He believes that Henan's cultural achievements are not only the cornerstone of Chinese traditional culture but also the wellspring from which it has continually evolved.  

河南为什么圣贤多? 中国社会科学院新闻与传播研究所世界传媒研究中心秘书长、研究员冷凇认为，河南有着深厚的文化渊源和基础，也有着广阔的平台。“圣贤人物所创造的文化成就就是中国传统文化的根，就是中国传统文化的源。”

Journeying through Henan to Answer the Question: Why is China the Cradle of Civilization?

相约行走河南，回答“何以中国”之问

As the launch ceremony approached its end, 12 museum directors and cultural heritage experts from across Henan passionately showcased the iconic cultural heritage sites, relics, and ancient monuments of their regions, inviting visitors to "Traveling in Henan" through their eloquent introductions.

启动仪式接近尾声时，来自河南不同地方的12位博物馆馆长和文博领域专家，用精炼的语言对各地具有代表性的文化遗址、文物古迹等进行现场推介，发出“行走河南”的邀约。

How can we answer the question "Why China" by tracing the origins of Chinese history and civilization in Henan?

溯源历史，寻脉中华。如何在河南通过追溯中华文明发展史回答“何以中国”之问？

After the launch ceremony, the "Henan, Where China Began" online themed campaign will invite over 90 media reporters, internet celebrities, international students, and others to start from Luoyang and travel to Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Xuchang, Sanmenxia, Anyang, Shangqiu, Luohe, Nanyang, and other locations for field reporting.

启动仪式结束后，“何以中国 行走河南”网络主题宣传活动将邀请媒体记者、网络达人、在豫留学生等90余人，从洛阳出发，分南北两路深入郑州、开封、洛阳、许昌、三门峡、安阳、商丘、漯河、南阳等地开展采风报道。

They will experience the essence of China's earliest dynasty at the Erlitou site, engage in a dialogue with the leader of the archaeological excavation team at the Yangshao site, immerse themselves in the Yin and Shang civilizations at the Yin Ruins Museum, and decode ancient scripts at Xu Shen Cultural Park...

他们将在二里头遗址感受“中国最早王朝”的脉动，在仰韶遗址与考古发掘队负责人对话，在殷墟博物馆沉浸式体验殷商文明，在许慎文化园用文字密码传递文明密码……

The press tour includes over 20 major national media platforms, such as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Xinhua Net, People's Network, CCTV Network, China Daily Net, China Youth Net, and China Net. It also features key editors and reporters from provincial-level media like Henan Daily, Top News, Elephant News, and Dahe Net. The goal is to actively promote Henan's rich historical and cultural heritage, highlight progress and achievements in the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese culture, and share Henan's "Why China" stories from multiple perspectives.

据悉，本次采风团主要邀请有人民日报、新华社、新华网、人民网、央视网、国际在线、中国日报网、中国青年网、中国网等20余家全国主流媒体平台，河南日报、顶端新闻、大象新闻、大河网等省级媒体骨干编辑记者，积极宣传河南深厚历史文化积淀及其推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展的进展成效，多维度讲好“何以中国”的河南故事。（中文来源/大河网 编译/丁岚 审核/赵汉青 杨佳欣）