Imagine being a student in the 1940s, as bombs fell and uncertainty loomed. Yet in Kunming, a vibrant academic hub emerged against all odds: the National Southwest Associated University (SWAU) 📚✨.
In our "Art Amid the Flames" series, CGTN’s Yang Jinghao takes us back to this wartime wonder. When Japanese aggression swept across China, three of the nation’s leading universities packed their hopes and textbooks and moved to Yunnan Province. There, they merged to form SWAU – a powerhouse of knowledge and creativity that defied the chaos of war.
Classes were held in makeshift classrooms among paddy fields and mountain air. Professors and students alike shared not only lectures on literature, science, and art but also stories of resilience. Poetry readings, art workshops, and impromptu concerts kept culture alive, reminding everyone that learning can thrive even in the toughest times.
Today, the SWAU campus sites in Kunming still echo with that spirit. Visitors walk past old lecture halls, now preserved as museums, and see how this "miracle of education" laid the groundwork for modern Chinese scholarship. The legacy shines on – a testament to the power of knowledge, unity, and hope 🌟.
Whether you’re a history buff, a student chasing inspiration, or a curious traveler planning a Yunnan adventure, the story of SWAU reminds us that even in the darkest chapters, human creativity can light the way.
Reference(s):
Southwest Associated University: A miracle of education in wartime
cgtn.com
