Remembering a difficult youth

More than 27,000 Beijing zhiqing (educated urban youths) were sent to work and live in the countryside of Yan'an, the cradle of the Chinese revolution, some 45 years ago during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76). An exhibition at the Beijing World Art Museum features hundreds of old photos, letters, train tickets and suitcases, as well as paintings, calligraphy and sculptures, all created by this group of people in memory of their youthful experience and their deep love for their second hometowns. A replica of a cave house has also been constructed to remind people of the harsh living conditions these young people endured.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays, until Feb 23. China Millennium Monument, 9A Fuxing Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing. 010-5980-2222.

Brush of ink

Simon Ma's Ink Brush Heart is on display at Three on the Bund. Part of la Biennale di Venezia's 55th International Art Exhibition, the show features installations composed of stainless steel "dancing water drops" as well as dozens of differently sized balloon water drops filled with varying shades of liquid. The 40-year-old artist from Hong Kong has solid training in traditional Chinese painting, and has studied architecture and urban planning at the University College of London. He has been dedicated to promoting original art and design lifestyle in China since 2002, when he opened M House in Shanghai.

10 am-10 pm, until Feb 23. Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan E1 Lu (Road), Shanghai. 021-6321-5757.

Prodigal poet

Minsheng Art Museum has launched a series of poetry reading events. The first poet to share his work will be Duo Duo. Born in 1951, the poet from Beijing was one of China's first explorers of Modernism in poetry in the 1970s. He has lived in Europe for the past decade. Today Duo Duo is recognized as one of China's most outstanding lyrical poets, and he has won many international awards. Duo Duo will read his work, tell stories behind the creation, and show valuable photographs related to his creative experience. The event will be free of charge to the public, but reservation are required in advance by e-mailinglecture@minshengart.com. 3 pm, Feb 23. Minsheng Art Museum, F, 570 Huaihai Luxi (Road W), Shanghai.

021-6282-8729.

Fairytale for all ages

Actors from China National Theater for Children will feature in the play Small Men in Can, an adaptation from a fairytale written by the Chinese children's-book writer Zheng Yuanjie. Many classic characters created by Zheng, such as Pipilu and Luxixi, have been popular among children and adults. The play is the last part of Zheng's trilogy, Children's Plays of Zheng Yuanjie.

10 am, Feb 15 and 16, Feb 22 and 23. China National Theater for Children, 64 Dong'anmen Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 400-610-3721.

Future of bookstores

Faced with the challenge from online booksellers, physical book sellers, physical bookstore owners are exploring ways to keep their stores appealing to customers. Fangsuo Commune, a new cultural landmark of Guangzhou that integrates roles such as bookstore, cafe, clothing boutique and stationery and home ware stores, is inviting outstanding bookstore owners in China, the United Kingdom and Japan to join a two-day forum to discuss the blueprint of bookstores and how they will influence a city's cultural development in the future.

3 pm-9:30 pm, Feb 22 and 2 pm-5 pm, Feb 23. Fangsuo Commune, TaiKoo Hui Shopping Mall, 383 Tianhe Lu (Road), Tian he district, Guangzhou.