In late March, a group of prominent Chinese writers traveled to Mabian Yi Autonomous County in Sichuan province as part of a rural literary initiative aimed at empowering local children and adults through cultural engagement. Among them was Tang Sulan, a well-known children’s author affectionately called the "Mother of Silly Wolf." Her visit marked a continuation of efforts to integrate literature into rural revitalization programs designed to inspire creativity and enrich life in remote areas.

Mabian, once considered a remote frontier, has experienced economic transformation through agriculture and resource development. Now, initiatives like this seek to deepen residents’ connection to culture and education. During her stay, Tang held creative writing workshops at Minjian Primary School and engaged with local students, including Yu Keyi, an 8-year-old girl whose extensive personal book collection and storytelling talent impressed her. Tang encouraged young attendees to cultivate a lifelong love of reading and to express themselves boldly through writing, emphasizing literature’s role as a “window to a wider world” and a source of personal strength.

The visit also included veteran novelist Xu Guixiang and writer Alai, both vice-chairmen of the China Writers Association, who worked alongside Tang to support adult participants. Xu provided guidance to Long Zhengqian, a former soldier and poetry enthusiast, advising him to draw on his diverse life experiences to create authentic literary works that reflect rural realities. The writers stressed the importance of documenting everyday life with passion and honesty as a foundation for meaningful creative expression.

Beyond classroom activities, the initiative extended to public events such as a morning market featuring book stalls, poetry games, and cultural performances. These gatherings fostered a vibrant literary atmosphere among villagers, further knitting literature into daily life. Local residents praised the blend of traditional commerce and cultural enrichment, with some noting how these events made literature accessible and engaging for all ages.

This program builds upon a similar project launched six months earlier in Xiushui County, Jiangxi province. At Mabian, representatives from both counties formalized a cooperation agreement to promote ongoing literary exchange. The collaboration draws upon historical ties between the regions, referencing celebrated Song Dynasty poets Huang Tingjian and Su Shi, whose cross-regional correspondence symbolized the enduring power of literary connection.

School officials, including Minjian Primary’s vice-principal Yu Rong, highlighted the sustained impact of the writers’ visits, noting gradual but meaningful growth in children’s enthusiasm for reading. Tang Sulan reflected that the initiative’s primary goal is not to produce professional authors but to nurture imagination and help individuals appreciate life’s beauty through literature.

As her visit concluded, Tang shared a message with the gathered children: reading opens doors to worlds beyond their immediate surroundings, offering experiences and perspectives that enrich both the heart and mind. For many in Mabian, this message signals a hopeful future where cultural engagement complements ongoing rural development efforts.