Students learn about stories of the Lilac Garden at Yuhuatai Memorial Park of Revolutionary Martyrs. [Photo/WeChat account: njdwwhjl]

More than 20 international students visited the Lilac Garden at Yuhuatai Memorial Park of Revolutionary Martyrs on Aug 29, Chinese Valentine's Day, where they learned about moving love stories that spanned both revolution and time.

One story recounts a couple who met and fell in love at Soochow University. After their marriage, they dedicated themselves to the revolutionary cause. Tragically, the wife, pregnant then, was arrested and executed at Yuhuatai three months later. Fifty years later, the husband visited the site and planted a lilac tree, its rings representing his enduring longing for her.

Another story narrates the life of philosopher Xu Baoye, who left for Germany to pursue his doctorate shortly after getting married. Over the next 10 years, he only saw his wife, Ye Yanping, once. Xu eventually joined the revolution and gave his life for the cause. Ye spent 50 years searching for information about him until she finally discovered his fate.

Students lay flowers in tribute under the lilac tree. [Photo/WeChat account: njdwwhjl]

At the Lilac Garden, students paid tribute by laying flowers. Afterwards, they participated in a printmaking workshop, which was guided by bilingual instructions through a six-step process. As they created their own prints, the students expressed the story of the garden and the heartfelt spirit of revolutionary love.

Students make their own prints. [Photo/WeChat account: njdwwhjl]