“My method of studying classical Chinese poetry is inspired by architecture,” says Niu Weina (China), a 93-year-old alumna from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, who teaches poetry with a construction schedule normally used for building architecture in her elderly care community.
Graduating in 1950, Tsinghua helped her discover her first dream. Learning with Liang Sicheng, known as the father of modern Chinese architecture, she was deeply inspired by his profound knowledge, rigorous academic spirit, and dedicated work attitude. “I just believe that we should never stop studying in our life. This is what Tsinghua taught me,” she says, and has kept this in mind for over 70 years.
In 2018, she began to voluntarily teach poetry after full preparation and extensive research. During COVID-19, she even attempted to stream online, attracting thousands of netizens with her love for poetry and attitude towards life. “There is still plenty of time. Why not seize it to educate ourselves?”
