JF Books
Category Books & Magazines
Address
1509 Connecticut Avenue NW View on Google Maps
Washington, DC 20036
Details
Jifeng Bookstore wasn't just a bookstore. For two decades, it was a cornerstone of China's intellectual landscape. With eight branches at its peak, Jifeng fostered a love of reading and critical thinking through a curated selection in social sciences and humanities, alongside vibrant cultural events. Lectures, forums, readings, and independent documentary screenings pulsed with intellectual energy, drawing in over hundreds of thousands of attendees in its final five years. However, Jifeng's commitment to open dialogue clashed with a tightening grip on free expression. When told in advance of its fate of having to close on Jan. 31, 2018, it held a 283-day long countdown, accompanied by rich cultural events.
The bookstore's last night was a testament to its spirit. Readers from across China converged, bringing flowers, choosing books, and reciting poems in a silent show of solidarity. Faced with the darkness that followed being cut off, these patrons refused to be silenced. They injected joy and hope into the darkness. Phones became flashlights, bookshelves adorned with LED lights, and the bookstore hummed with life anew. A young man's piano serenade, a circle of dancers swaying to the music, and a chorus of voices singing farewell resonated through the night. Jifeng's story resonated globally, featured in The Economist, the New Yorker, the Diplomat, and The National Interest. The bookstore's demise became a symbol of a stifled civil society.
Today, Jifeng Bookstore finds a new home in Washington D.C. with a new name, JF Books. This isn't just a revival; it's a continuation of its legacy. While Chinese-language social science and humanities books remain a cornerstone, JF Books will also showcase English-language works exploring China and Asia and celebrate the voices of Asian Americans. Beyond books, JF Books will once again be a platform for diverse cultural events, fostering connections through knowledge, ideas, and the shared human spirit.
Since relocating to Washington DC, JF Books has received an outpouring of support from readers around the world. Our story has resonated across languages and cultures, drawing media attention from international outlets that have chronicled our journey from Shanghai to DC. These stories have captured our unwavering mission and vision to build meaningful communities.
Like our namesake "JF" (which means "Monsoon" in Chinese), we aspire to be like the monsoon winds that blow from East to West, carrying with them the seeds of freedom and hope. As we put down new roots in DC, we invite more readers to become part of our story. We remain steadfast in our founding vision: to serve as a cultural bridge, nurturing understanding and connection across continents.
