Documentary series Century Masters to launch activities in rural schools

In the next three years, more than 300,000 books based on Chinese documentary series Century Masters and sports goods will be donated to schools in rural areas and hometowns of masters featured in the documentary series, announced China Literature and Art Foundation in Beijing on May 7.

The biographical documentary series covers the life stories of more than 50 masters in fine arts, calligraphy, architecture, Chinese traditional medicine, sports and education during the 20th century. A series of books based on the documentary series is also published.

Each episode is about 52 minutes and available for global viewership in eight languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and French. The series is co-produced by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, China Media Group, China Literature and Art Foundation and other cultural organizations.

Last year, the series added influential people in China's sports development such as Zhang Boling and Dong Shouyi, and great educators like Cai Yuanpei and Tao Xingzhi into its master list.

Sports brand Adidas supports the future donation of sports goods to schools in rural areas to help better develop teenagers' outdoor activities.

"Teenagers are the future of our country. We hope they can be inspired by the spirit of these masters from the 20th century and pass it down," says Xiang Yunju, secretary-general of China Literature and Art Foundation.