A month-long grand book exhibition on the rich cultural deposits left by Su Shi (also known as Su Dongpo, a renowned Chinese essayist and politician during the Song dynasty) — along with his father Su Xun, and brother Su Zhe — will open in Hainan’s provincial capital of Haikou on February 18.

The exhibition will showcase more than 600 kinds of books on this family of ancient scholars, including over 400 volumes from China’s major presses and research institutes, as well as over 200 from individual scholars and collectors. These include dozens of precious tomes dating back to China’s Republican period (1911-1949), including “东坡逸事” (“Su Dongpo Anecdotes”, published in 1921), “苏文忠公诗集” (“Su Dongpo Poetry Collection”, lithographed in 1925), and the pictorial “苏东坡” (“Su Dongpo”, published in 1934).

According to Hainan Publishing House, the book exhibition is one of many dazzling events to be held during the first China (Hainan) Dongpo Cultural Tourism Festival. The province-wide festival, which kicks off on February 18, is being held to commemorate Su Dongpo, who spent three years exiled on the island and is known locally for the culture and teaching which he brought with him. Additionally, the book exhibition is also expected to provide a wealth of materials for scholars and researchers attending the Dongpo Culture International Forum during the festival, as well as members of the general public interested in the life and times of this humble genius.

The exhibition will open on February 18 at the Hainan University, where the Dongpo Culture International Forum to be held. It will then be transferred to Show City in Haikou’s Qiongshan District, where it will continue from February 19 to March 17.