Martyn Vladimir (left), a Russian student volunteer from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explores China's renowned matrix of ancient culture. [Photo by Jiang Meng/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The eight masters rose to fame in China's history through the returning classic literature movement. Han Yu was an outstanding writer and thinker. Liu Zongyuan was a writer and philosopher. Ouyang Xiu led the innovation movement during the Song Dynasty. Su Xun, together with his two sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, set an example of family education. Su Shi was a genius who excelled at poetry, cooking and traveling. Wang Anshi is an outstanding politician, thinker and writer. He combined writing with political activities and stressed that the first purpose of literature is to serve the country.