Illustration: Chen Xia/GT
Young people in China are seeking inspiration from historical figures. Through AI-generated art, short videos, and social media discussions, ancient wisdom and modern-daily life are being bridged in the digital age.
The play Spring Dawn on the Su Causeway, about Chinese poet Su Dongpo and produced by the China National Centre for the Performing Arts, concluded its performances in Shanghai in early March. According to local news outlet Wenhui Daily, tickets for all five performances were sold out.
Su Dongpo, also known as Su Shi, was a renowned poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He was also an esteemed scholar, prose-writer, painter, calligrapher, and statesman. As a prominent cultural icon, his legacy continues to inspire and is now resonating with today's youth.
The wisdom embedded in his literary works, provide a source of encouragement and strength that can guide young people through their life journey. For instance, his verse "Who says youth cannot return? The stream before my door still flows westward" gives young people the confidence to believe that they will always have opportunities to shine.
Su remained optimistic and open-minded despite enduring great hardships in both his political and personal lives. His unwavering resilience and strength of character made him a powerful example, with the philosophical depth of his life surpassing even his literary and artistic achievements, noted Li Gongyu, vice-secretary of the China Su Shi Research Association, during an interview with the Xinhua News Agency.
In an article published by Study Times in early March titled "Why Are More Young People Enthralled by Su Dongpo?" the author Lu Cairong, vice-secretary of the Publisher Association of China, pointed out that Chinese writer Lin Yutang once used 67 labels to define Su, ranging from "yoga practitioner" to "hydraulic engineer." This ability to navigate across different fields, shaped by a multifaceted life, is precisely what today's young people aspire to. It resonates deeply with the modern "slash youth," who refuse to be defined or bound by just one personal identity and often choose multiple careers.
"Overall, the contemporary enthusiasm for Su Dongpo among young people is a continuation of historical reflection, a reflection of the brilliance of civilization, and, above all, a call for a life of depth and meaning," wrote Lu.
In recent years, besides plays, books, exhibitions, films or TV series about Su, he has also made waves on short-video platforms. Wu Minjie is a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee member as well as a social media influencer amassing over 9.8 million followers on short-video platform Douyin. While her videos are focused on culture, art and history, the life stories and philosophy of Su are among her most popular ones.
Chinese traditional culture is an inexhaustible treasure trove that shouldn't remain quietly confined to museums, said Wu during an interview with Xinhua in March while discussing her motivation to make such short videos.
Beyond short-video platforms, a viral trend is sweeping through Chinese social media in which historical figures like Su, as well as Tang Dynasty (618-907) poets Li Bai and Du Fu, are "resurrected" on platforms such as Xiaohongshu (RedNote) through user-created accounts. These accounts creatively reimagine ancient poets and scholars, engaging audiences with content such as AI-generated imagery and historical anecdotes.
The phenomenon of "Dongpo Fever" highlights a fascinating resonance between tradition and modernity, with digital intelligence transforming ancient philosophical insights into accessible cultural nourishment. Innovative media technologies have turned Su's spirit of resilience into a symbolic mindset embraced by younger generations, Hui Dongpo , a professor at the College of Applied Arts and Science of Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
This "cyber revival" of ancient figures is led by Gen Z users who creatively reinterpret history. Bloggers adopt the voices of famous poets, mixing historical accuracy with internet slang to engage younger audiences. For example, one account shares AI-generated traditional Chinese-style portraits, while another reimagines Du Fu composing a poem as a review of Ne Zha 2.
An account with the handle of Zhang Zeduan, an artist from the Song Dynasty, shares traditional Chinese-style portraits. It was created by an art enthusiast, according to a report by the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Youth League of China. The account primarily features traditional Chinese-style portraits, which the art enthusiast draws based on ancient art techniques, as well as AI-generated recreations of historical figures depicted in classical paintings.
The creator admitted to using AI software to achieve these effects but emphasized, "Regardless of the tools I use, my goal is to get more people interested in history and culture. And indeed, many young people have shown great enthusiasm for it."
Cultural experts like Hu Yu from Tsinghua University see this phenomenon as an innovative way to preserve and inherit traditional Chinese culture. It not only strengthens young people's connection to their cultural roots but also demonstrates how digital technology revitalizes classic wisdom in the modern age.
"Gen Z is reinterpreting ancient people, including Su's wisdom, through AI-generated paintings, writings and other creative expressions. This tech-enabled cultural engagement not only revitalizes the genetic code of Chinese culture but also fosters a spiritual dialogue that transcends time and space," Hui told the Global Times.
Today's youth are not passive receivers of history but active participants in shaping cultural identity, leveraging their "digital instincts" to reimagine tradition, Hui further noted.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn
