From November 6 to 8, the main venue events of the 12thChina International Exhibition of Oral History, hosted by the Communication University of China, were held in Beijing. The exhibition gathered over 300 oral history projects from more than 10 countries and regions worldwide, spanning documentary films, public history, non-fiction works, thematic industry oral records and collective memory archives. It presents the latest practical achievements and academic landscape of contemporary oral history.

The 12th China International Exhibition of Oral History. (Photo provided by the organizer)

During the exhibition, the organizing committee arranged a series of activities including screenings of selected projects and exchanges for the youth programme. Open to the public, the exhibition showcases high-quality entries and annual invited cases, and features a special memorial zone dedicated to Jing Yidan, journalist and veteran documentarian.

The exhibition balances grand narratives and intimate individual accounts. It features life testimonies from Long March veterans and War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression survivors, records of artistic heritage from Plum Blossom Award winners and intangible cultural heritage inheritors, as well as family memories, old photographs and personal life stories.Ranging from national collective memory and individual experiences to industrial shifts and domestic life, oral histories and moving images preserve stories of people across eras and communities, bringing overlooked historical details back into public view.

Over 12 years of development, the China International Exhibition of Oral History has built up 4 major components including project showcase, academic exchange, public engagement and international cooperation. Reflecting the changes of times through individual memories, it ensures every life story is heard, preserved and shared. Oral history is gaining wider recognition and participation.