A restored photograph includes Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore, Chinese architect Lin Huiyin and poet of Xu Zhimo Photo: Courtesy of Sina Weibo

The opening ceremony for a series of cultural events dedicated to Indian thinker and writer Rabindranath Tagore was held at Fayuan Temple in Beijing on Wednesday. 

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Tagore’s first ever visit to China, a milestone in China and India’s cultural exchange. The Wednesday events have been named after the lilac flower, a symbol of Tagore’s close ties with female Chinese architect Lin Huiyin and poet Xu Zhimo.

In April 1924, Tagore visited Fayuan Temple during its lilac blossom season with Lin and Xu. The joyful experience, along with intellectual exchanges among the three later inspired Tagore to develop deep fondness for Chinese culture. 

It was said that Tagore regarded China as his second home The Chinese civilization in his eyes had “great potential” and he felt the country had a great future.  

The event at Fayuan Temple was attended by Souraja Tagore, a descendant of Tagore and also a professor of literature. She has visited China many times, and she shared her 2024 visiting experience with The Beijing News, saying she was impressed by Chinese culture and how “devoted” the Chinese people are to the arts.

Born in 1861, Tagore was Asia’s first writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he received in 1913.