Photos here are from two visits to the Chengdu YMCA* building. With me were local university students who were pleased to offer their services as guides.
Entering the historically preserved pedestrian lane, Jinhuaguan, just off Chun Xi Road (North). Brass plaques and photo of traditional life were mounted on the walls just as one enters the tunnel here. [link to maps of the area to be added]
Click for larger images.
We were pleased to find the building and historical markers well-preserved and presented for maintaining the memory of a Western institution that was widely adopted internationally and widely implemented in China.
Note the three-sided iconic symbol (both above and elsewhere here) used by the Y-organization, as a commitment to the proposed unity/integration of mind, body, and spirit. The larger representation below also carries words from the Christian scriptures (John 17:21) suggesting the means towards social and inter-cultural unity: “… that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us…”.
While there was no indication of regular use of the facilities on this first visit, the following year when I stopped by with other guides, I was pleased to find an open door and warm welcome.
Here we seemed to be be finding a renewed commitment to Y activities, connected well with both its history of the promotion of its mission. As a Canadian, I was especially surprised at the craft chosen for activities today. Dream catchers are very popular among the indigenous peoples of my part of Canada; indeed our own family proudly displays them in our homes.
Meanwhile, the meeting room displays significant images of the Y-movement as it was originally conceived and was once celebrated in many locations throughout China.
Before leaving, I took this photo of my guides next to the couplet which reads from left to right: The truth will set you free. We are called to serve rather than be served.
* Note: YMCA and YWCA refer to the Young Men’s Christian Association and its sister organization for Women. In my hometown of Regina, Canada, we simply refer the Y, or more specifically to the YM or YW.
First published: 2022/08/27