Earth Day, the annual worldwide event, was recently held and various events were put on at TJU to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In order to promote the idea of "healthy and green" to students in Tianjin University, an Ingenuity Fair, organized by 109 coffee, was held on the second floor of Building No. 55-A, Peiyang Park Campus. 

This activity successfully attracted many students to come and visit. The fair, with the theme “Small Global Village, lived Many Craftsmen” was sponsored by TJU alumni Cui Hongtai, and his 109 coffee was regarded as the main area for the activity. It contained two parts, one was a joint photography exhibition with the theme “Tender is the Cosmos” held by Peiyang Scenery together with 109 coffee, while another was called “Ingenuity Store” which included 18 teams whose members are skilled at creating and making interesting arts and crafts. All the handicrafts there were handmade, unique and most importantly, affordable. As well as the knick-knacks for sale, many free benefits were prepared for visitors, such as puck coffee, roses, candied haws and photography.  

Before the activity officially began, a lot of students had gathered in front of the café, and many of them came here so early especially for the free coffee which was obviously quite a draw. The queue to enter the café was so long that the end of the line reached the stairs, with potential customers licking their lips in anticipation. In the corner of the studio beside the café, students who had received their roses were now posing for their free photo shoots.  

At twelve noon, the exhibition “Tender is the Cosmos” was held. The works were characterized by their use of both TJU imagery and circles, to represent the Earth. In their photos, TJU shared the same shape as the earth, which not only reflected the theme, but also provided students a new perspective with which to view Tianjin University. 

As well as the photography exhibition, the Ingenuity Store was also very popular. It included four main parts: the League of Saunter and Food, Handicraft Stores, Art Expo, and Pen & Ink.  

The League of Saunter and Food consisted of a Five-star Fruit Shop, who provided  fresh fruit, the 109 Dessert Team, and students’ favorite Tianbai Candied Haws which came to the scene and gave away candied haws to students for free.  

The Art Expo consisted of Flowers in Lifetime, focusing on ikebana and there were professionally trained staff who helped students to practice flower arrangement through which they could feel the beauty of nature. 

Pen & Ink consisted of the Painting & Calligraphy Club and the Literature Club. Though due to some reason, Literature was absent, they had sent poems they composed to the Painting & Calligraphy Club, who then displayed them in the exhibition. Many visitors raved about their works and took pictures of the calligraphy on display. 

The Handicraft Stores consisted of Industry Design, Green Lemon Studio, Brother Cai's Badge Store, Mini Workshop, Craftsman Studio, and more. Many elaborate handicrafts were displayed on the stalls one after another, and they instantly became a hit with the students.  

In particular, some stall owners, with the majority of them being TJU students, gave visitors free bookmarks and pendants. The sponsor of the Ingenuity Fair Cui Taihong said it exactly reflected his original intention: “TJU students have strong sentiments towards the arts and humanity, however they lack the platform and chances to express themselves. I hope they can give their own opinions and show themselves through the Ingenuity Fair.” Meanwhile, Cui Hongtai encourages an image of the Building No. 55 as a landmark of this university with the idea of a fair and healthy life, which will meet students' dual demands of both culture and the material without wasting too much time. 

At the end of the event, Cui Hongtai summed up the experience of the Ingenuity Fair. Vol.1. Furthermore, he expressed the hope that more and more students who have genuine and abiding love of handicrafts would gather together to show their skills and provide much more artistic enjoyment for students in Tianjin University. 

By: Hu Caling

Photo: Huang Weimin and Zhao Tianqi

Editors: Qin Mian and Christopher Peter Clarke