100 years ago, what did Tan Kah Kee buried under the foundation stone of Xiamen University?
Author: Yang Shan Yan Xu Wang Dongming Li Siyuan V
One hundred years ago, on May 9th, Tan Kah Kee led more than 100 Xiamen University teachers and students from Jimei School to the martial arts field at the southern end of Xiamen Island, where he held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first main building complex of Xiamen University in the misty rain.
Southern Fujian people have the habit of burying things under the foundation stone. At that time, they usually bury silver dollars, hoping that there will be no shortage of money for their children and grandchildren.
As a Hokkien native, what did Tan Kah Kee bury when he embedded the square foundation stone on the foundation of the building?
It has been a question in people's minds for many years.
Recently, Professor Zhu Shuiyong of the School of Humanities of Xiamen University told reporters: Under the foundation stone of Xiamen University, there are buried speeches by Tan Kah Kee preparing for Xiamen University.
Under the foundation stone of Xiamen University, there are buried speeches by Tan Kah Kee preparing for Xiamen University.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yan Xu
"I recently studied Tan Kah Kee and saw the book "Tan Kah Kee Research II: Reminiscences of Tan Kah Kee's Essays" published by the Central Literature Publishing House. There is an article in it saying that Tan Kah Kee buried an exquisite stone-carved box under this cornerstone. Zhu Shuiyong said, "What's in this stone box? It's the speech of Tan Kah Kee's preparation for Xiamen University."
"Today's country is in danger, and it is the only people who depend on it to maintain it. This is Fang Xing's education and the hearts of the undead."
"The heart of the people is not dead, but the national line is still there. With a nation of 40,000, there is no reason to be willing to subdue to others. If today is not reached, there is still a future, and if the body is not reached, there are still descendants, like the reclaiming of Jingwei, stupidity When the public moves the mountains, there will eventually be a day to implement the purpose."
——Excerpts from Tan Kah Kee’s speech prepared by Xiamen University
Zhu Shuiyong said that "the day when there will be a purpose for implementation" is the day when the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will eventually come, and the day when Xiamen University will eventually become the "university of the world".
This speech introduced why Tan Kah Kee founded Xiamen University. He explained the reality that the country will be eliminated if education fails. It not only expresses Tan Kah Kee's inner pain, but also reveals his deep anxiety.
Following the wave of the May Fourth Movement, in May 1919, the famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee returned to his hometown to initiate Xiamen University.
On April 6, 1921, Xiamen University, China's first university founded by overseas Chinese, was announced.
At that time, the school building had not yet been completed, and Xiamen University opened the school on the basis of the school building in Jimei School Village.
The foundation stone of Xiamen University was laid on May 9, 1921.
On the same day, Xiamen University’s Qunxian Building Group laid the foundation stone and started.
The cornerstone of the year was engraved with Chen Kah Kee's handwritten book "Xiamen University School Building Commences", which is still intactly embedded under the wall of the central hall of Xiamen University's Qunxian Building.
"This stone looks small, but it is very heavy." In Zhu Shuiyong's view, there are three very important elements in this cornerstone, one is time.
Why is it on May 9th?
Zhu Shuiyong said that on May 9, 1915, the Yuan Shikai government at the time recognized the "21 Articles" of bereavement and humiliation of the country, which aroused the people's anti-Japanese movement across the country.
Since then, people will determine May 9th as the national humiliation memorial day.
Trying to figure out why Tan Kah Kee selected Xiamen University's foundation day on May 9th, Zhu Shuiyong believes that this is to show that Xiamen University has not forgotten the national humiliation and strives to become the country.
The second element, as mentioned above, is buried under the cornerstone of Tan Kah Kee's speech about the preparation of Xiamen University.
"Third, this stone is the only place where the word'Tan Kah Kee' is left in the entire Xiamen University's thousands of mu of land and tens of thousands of square meters of buildings." Zhu Shuiyong told reporters, "You are in other places. I can’t see it anywhere. Although he built this school, he never left his name on any building. He only left the'Tan Kah Kee's foundation stone' on this cornerstone."
"Jiageng Buildings" are not just those buildings
The Qunxian Building Group is the "ancestral home" of Xiamen University-the birthplace of Xiamen University. It was the first group of buildings built by Mr. Tan Kah Kee at the beginning of the establishment of Xiamen University.
A group of xian buildings laid out with the word "one".
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
Five buildings with the word "one" placed in the middle of the north of Yanwu Field. The corridor facing the sea runs through the five independent buildings. The main building, Qunxian Building, was once the center of Xiamen University's offices and gatherings.
When Xiamen University was founded, the construction of school buildings was the most important task of school construction.
In fact, at the beginning, Mao Danyang's design of the school building designed by Xiamen University, the five buildings as the main building of the school were arranged on the northwest corner of the Yanwu Field, forming a combination of "Pin". Font.
He said: "I'm going to stand at the end of the corridor and look at the Xiamen University students who pass from the first building to the fifth building." The characteristics leave an open square in front of the entire building." Zhu Shuiyong said, "This is a very big and very deep feeling."
The corridor runs through five independent buildings.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
These majestic architectural complexes of Chinese and Western blends are far more than simple buildings. They have accumulated the deep family and country feelings of generations of Xiamen University for a hundred years. They can be called Tan Kah Kee, a famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader and head of Xiamen University. The refraction of the spirit of patriotic education and the rich connotation of Chinese traditional culture.
Nowadays, the Qunxian Buildings have been used as venues such as the History Museum of Xiamen University and the Lu Xun Memorial Hall.
The Centennial School History Exhibition of Xiamen University is being held in Qunxian Building. It showcases the important nodes, important events, and important achievements of the school’s century-old development process. It depicts the magnificent picture of Xiamen University’s education, serving the country and cultivating people in the past century, highlighting Xiamen University. Take root in China's land-run universities, and be responsible for standing up to the forefront of the times.
The Centennial History Exhibition of Xiamen University is being held in Qunxian Building.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
Xiamen University's Centennial School History Exhibition.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
Later generations remembered the school master and erected an inscription for Tan Kah Kee.
In the center of the square in front of the Qunxian Building, a statue of Tan Kah Kee, the founder of Xiamen University, was erected in 1984. The cornerstone of the statue is engraved with golden characters such as "Tan Kah Kee (1874-1961)" and "National Glory of Overseas Chinese Flag".
This may be contrary to the original intention of the school owner's low-key low-key, but it has become a totem for us to cherish the world and affect Nanyang today.
In front of the statue of Tan Kah Kee is the martial arts sports ground that was renovated in August 2017 and the new school gate facing the sea; the new school gate is in a straight line with the statue of Tan Kah Kee, the main building of Qunxian Building and the highest point of Wu Lao Peak, which is spectacular .
The statue of Tan Kah Kee completed in 1984.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
"The opening of the new school gate and school card has realized the master's ambition to build a'spectacular institution' that can be seen from the sea at the beginning of the school's establishment." A Xiamen University teacher was quite proud, she said. Qunxian Building is included in the "Jimei Village and Early Architecture of Xiamen University" listed as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. "As a member of Xiamen University, I feel deeply and proud."
Regarding the "Jiageng Architecture" that still exists so far, Xiamen University professor and doctoral tutor Wu Daguang believes that the "Jiageng Architecture" is not only beautiful in appearance, but also harmonious in its interior. In particular, each building is given a unique name, some of which are derived from classic works. Some come from allusions, and some are related to historical figures. They are elegant and contain rich culture. "Walking through these buildings is like being in the palace of Chinese classical culture."
Aerial view of Xiamen University.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
The "Qunxian" building is based on the sentence "The best of the best and the young are collected" in Wang Xizhi's "Landing Preface", implying the praise and expectation for the masters and students of Xiamen; on both sides of the main building are the "Jimei" and "Tong'an" buildings. , Using the place name of Mr. Tan Kah Kee’s hometown; the two towers on the east and west sides are named "Yingxue" and "Nangying" respectively, citing the diligent allusions of Sun Kangdongyue Yingxue reading and Che Yinnangying in the Jin Dynasty.
On the 80th anniversary of the founding of Xiamen University, Thai alumni Ding Zhengzeng and Mrs. Cai Yueshi, Hong Kong alumni Huang Baoxin and Mrs. Wu Liying, overseas Chinese in Singapore, Mrs. Wu Dingji and Mrs. Li Zhixia, as well as overseas Chinese living in the Philippines, Singapore and other places, and Chinese Hong Kong compatriots jointly donated funds The construction of the Jiageng Buildings was completed and put into use, demonstrating the continued inheritance of the Jiageng spirit and its everlasting heritage.
"Jiageng Architecture" combining Chinese and Western.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
Tan Kah Kee's great love of sangzi and investing in education has influenced generations of Xiamen University and inspired alumni, overseas Chinese and social enthusiasts to pass on.
Chen Ronglan, former deputy dean of the Overseas Education College of Xiamen University, said that the Philippines Chinese correspondence student, Mr. She Mingpei and his wife, donated money to build a gymnasium for his alma mater; The traditional virtues of the Chinese nation.
The most magnificent Jiannan Buildings in the "Jiageng Architecture".
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
At that time, Mr. Jiageng devoted the most effort, and it was also the most magnificent Jiannan building group in "Jiageng Architecture". It was also a striking "one master and four followers" pattern, but it was even more magnificent.
The main building of the Jiannan Tower group is the Jiannan Auditorium, which has the unique charm of combining Chinese and Western cultures. The graduation ceremony is held here every year, which has witnessed generations of Xiamen University students bid farewell to their alma mater to enter the society.
When Xiamen University was founded, a big bell was hung, and the tradition of ringing the bell at Xiamen University has continued from the beginning of the school to the present day.
For 100 years, the sound of this clock has accompanied Xiamen University's growing years, calling for teachers and students to go to get out of class, to rest and struggle, and it has become a unique landscape in Chinese universities.
The tradition of ringing the bell in Xiamen University has continued since the beginning of the school.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Dongming
The Jiannan bell rings every day on the beautiful campus of Xiamen University, repeating and uninterrupted.