New book is a testament to the city's enduring spirit

A highlight of the Shanghai Book Fair, the Shanghai Municipal Archives unveiled the new book Shanghai Citizens' Life Memories, which offers a multifaceted portrayal of the city's past decades through the eyes of its residents, rare archival images, and distinctive comic drawings.

Described by many celebrities and other readers as a journey through fragmented memories, the book, launched on Aug 15, features 20 essays penned by firsthand witnesses. These narratives are organized into three sections — Taste, Leisure, and Cityscape — to reflect the evolution of the city's culinary scene, leisure activities, and urban spaces. Through personal stories and archived photos, the book captures the city's transformation, painting a small portion of the history of Shanghai's reform and opening-up.

Contributor Liu Xunming, a retired medical researcher, reminisces about childhood visits to the neighborhood's grocery stores when modern convenience stores and supermarkets were not yet part of daily life.

"When I was a child, and adults needed something while cooking, they would send the children to the nearby grocery store. In the past, going to the grocery store not only meant smelling delicious food and taking some home, but also being immersed in satisfaction and joy during times of material scarcity," he says.