Elyn MacInnis (right) and Lin Yinan (left) share stories about the "Kuliang Friends". 

On the evening of July 1, an evocative Kuliang Friends story-sharing event with the theme of "Reunion" took place in the courtyard of the Kuliang Families Story Museum in Fuzhou city, Fujian province.

Around 60 participants, including members from the Kuliang Friends, local villagers and representatives of schools and hospitals, gathered to share their stories about Kuliang.

At the event, old photographs went on display, drawing guests to pause and take pictures. The aroma of Kuliang's special snacks filled the air, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere as guests admired the photos and looked for familiar faces.

Guo Xiuyun from the Bamboo Forest Hotel kicked off the session by recalling the first visit of Mrs Gardner to Kuliang in 1992. She was the wife of a U.S. university professor who loved living in the place as a boy and when he died, she retraced the area to honor his memory. More than 30 years later when this story was retold, it transported many guests back to that significant moment of reunion across the decades.

"The beauty of Kuliang stories is that there's always something new to discover," said Elyn MacInnis, initiator of the Kuliang Friend, striking a chord with the audience.

For years, she's dedicated herself to collecting and organizing stories about Kuliang from around the world — working with Lin Yinan, an associate professor at East China University of Science and Technology, to uncover new historical materials, characters and family connections.

Each find — whether a photo, a diary or a name — helps piece together the long-lost puzzle of Kuliang's history.

This dedication has reconnected many descendants of the Kuliang Friends with the mountain resort. Priscilla Gill, daughter of Harold Brewster, a famous U.S. surgeon in Fuzhou in the 1930s, is now nearly 90. At the event, she shared memories of her childhood in Kuliang: Running through the hills, playing by the streams and cooling off on summer nights. Her simple words brought back those joyful summers to everyone.

Representatives from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital shared stories of Harold Brewster's medical service to the community. These intertwined memories shed a new light on the close ties of the Brewster family to Kuliang.

Thomas Hemenway shared his family's experiences of practicing medicine in Fujian. After he spoke, a representative of Minqing Liudu Hospital recounted the Hemenway family's commitment to rural healthcare.

These stories, spanning over a century, combined personal memories with local archives — highlighting that friendships between China and other countries not only blossomed in Kuliang, but also spread throughout Fujian.

Gordon Trimble shared his family's contributions to education in Fujian. From Hwa Nan College to the enduring spirit of educational exchanges, these stories, spanning generations, underscored the ongoing development of educational collaboration between China and other countries.

Representatives of Hwa Nan College and Fuqing No. 2 Middle School also shared related stories.

On the same evening, guests from China and abroad gathered — discussing their ancestors, newly met friends and old photos on their phones, while some made plans to return to Kuliang.

Each gathering brings new stories — and every story extends the bonds with Kuliang even further.