Rewi Alley Documentary Premieres in Shandan as Historical Compendium Launched

Summary

The premiere of the documentary 'Rewi Alley in China' and the launch of the historical materials compendium 'Rewi Alley and Shandan' were held on 1 September at the Rewi Alley Memorial Hall in Shandan. The event honoured Rewi Alley's internationalist spirit of 'loving peace and selfless dedication' and highlighted his 60 years of work in China and his deep connection with Shandan. A county archives official outlined the documentary's production and the compendium's compilation, and presented copies to local townships, county departments and provincial and municipal units stationed in Shandan, providing authoritative documentary support for developing Rewi Alley cultural resources.

Attendees watched a premiere clip that used historical photographs and documentary footage to recreate the years Rewi Alley spent in Shandan working alongside local people. Wang Zhiyue, director of the Shandan County Archives, said the project to protect and develop archival documents on Rewi Alley's founding of the Gung Ho movement and the Bailie School had achieved rescue protection and systematic research, explored an innovative 'archives + film and television + publishing' development path, and given play to archives' functions of preserving history, providing evidence and educating people. The documentary uses 'friendship' as the warp and 'footprints' as the weft, tracing Rewi Alley's journey from crossing the ocean to taking root in Shandan.

The compendium systematically organises documents, photographs and records of his work and life, with many historical materials made public for the first time. Zhao Qianxi, associate researcher at the Rewi Alley Memorial Hall in Shandan, said Rewi Alley worked and lived in Shandan for nearly 10 years, forged a deep friendship with the Shandan people, and built a bridge for exchanges between Shandan and the outside world. In recent years, the memorial hall has regularly carried out guided tour services, themed exhibitions and study activities.

Shandan County will continue to protect and utilise Rewi Alley archival documents, so that this precious historical and cultural heritage can take on new life in the new era.

Commentary

As an iconic figure in China-New Zealand friendship, Rewi Alley's nearly ten years of work and life in Shandan County in northwest China provides a unique historical and cultural link for New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises. Through the documentary and the historical materials compendium, Shandan County is systematically tapping Rewi Alley archives, which not only strengthens the local cultural brand but may also drive the development of related cultural tourism and study industries. New Zealand businesses could watch for commercial conversion opportunities for such cultural IP, such as developing Rewi Alley-themed tourism routes, educational exchange programmes or specialty products.

At the same time, the Bailie School founded by Rewi Alley emphasised technical education, and its spiritual legacy could serve as an entry point for cooperation between New Zealand vocational education institutions and western China. Against the industry backdrop, Chinese local governments are increasingly attaching importance to using international cultural resources to promote regional economies. If Shandan's 'archives + film and television + publishing' model succeeds, it may be replicated by other regions, creating niche markets for New Zealand SMEs in cultural creativity, education services and other fields.

However, it should be noted that such projects are mostly government-led, commercial participation needs to rely on official cooperation frameworks, and the market size is limited, making them more suitable as a fulcrum for brand building or long-term positioning. New Zealand businesses should assess the fit between their own resources and the Rewi Alley spirit, and avoid blind investment.

Keywords: Rewi Alley, documentary premiere, historical materials compendium, Rewi Alley Memorial Hall in Shandan, internationalist spirit, archival document protection, Gung Ho, Bailie School, China-New Zealand friendship, red culture

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

9月1日，《路易·艾黎在中国》纪录片首映仪式暨《路易·艾黎与山丹》史料汇编出版发行仪式在山丹艾黎纪念馆举办，旨在传承弘扬路易·艾黎“热爱和平、无私奉献”的国际主义精神，展现其在华六十载奋斗历程及与山丹的深厚情缘。仪式上，县档案馆相关负责人介绍了纪录片拍摄历程与史料汇编编纂情况，并向各乡镇、县直部门及省市驻丹单位赠送了《路易·艾黎与山丹》史料汇编，为挖掘艾黎文化资源提供权威文献支撑。全体参会人员集中观看了纪录片首映剪辑版，通过历史老照片和纪实影像重现路易·艾黎扎根山丹、与当地群众并肩奋斗的岁月。

山丹县档案馆馆长王志越表示，路易·艾黎创办工合、培黎学校档案文献保护与开发项目实现了抢救性保护与系统性研究，探索了“档案+影视+出版”的创新开发路径，发挥了档案存史资证育人功能。纪录片以“友谊”为经、“足迹”为纬，串联路易·艾黎从远渡重洋到扎根山丹的历程；史料汇编系统整理其工作生活各类文书、照片和记录，多项史料首次公开发布。山丹艾黎纪念馆副研究员赵谦玺说，路易·艾黎在山丹工作生活近10年，与山丹人民结下深厚友谊，搭建了山丹和外界交流的桥梁。

近年来，山丹艾黎纪念馆常态化开展讲解服务、主题展览和研学活动，下一步山丹县将持续做好艾黎档案文献保护利用，让珍贵历史文化遗产在新时代焕发新生。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

路易·艾黎作为中新友谊的标志性人物，其在中国西北山丹县近十年的工作生活，为新西兰中小企业提供了独特的历史文化纽带。山丹县通过纪录片和史料汇编，系统挖掘艾黎档案，不仅强化了地方文化品牌，更可能带动相关文旅和研学产业发展。新西兰企业可关注此类文化IP的商业转化机会，例如开发艾黎主题旅游线路、教育交流项目或特色产品。

同时，艾黎创办的培黎学校强调技术教育，其精神遗产或可成为新西兰职业教育机构与中国西部合作的切入点。从行业背景看，中国地方政府日益重视利用国际人文资源推动区域经济，山丹的“档案+影视+出版”模式若成功，可能被其他地区复制，为新西兰文化创意、教育服务等领域的中小企业创造细分市场。但需注意，此类项目多由政府主导，商业参与需依托官方合作框架，且市场规模有限，更适合作为品牌建设或长期布局的支点。

新西兰企业应评估自身资源与艾黎精神的契合度，避免盲目投入。

关键词: 路易·艾黎, 纪录片首映, 史料汇编, 山丹艾黎纪念馆, 国际主义精神, 档案文献保护, 工合, 培黎学校, 中新友谊, 红色文化

Source: Shandan County People's Government