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Wang Zhenhui: Etching my Olympic dreams onto eggshells

My name is Wang Zhenhui and I'm 72 years old. I've enjoyed carving since I was little. Following the two-year countdown to the Olympics on August 8, 2006, I got this idea to etch the pictograms of the 35 Olympic sports on egg shells. I wanted to record my Olympic dreams on egg shells.

When I retired twelve years ago at the age of 60, I suddenly found that I had a lot of extra time on my hands. Then I remembered my hobby from childhood: carving. One day I just happened to see an etched eggshell -- someone had exquisitely hand-etched a design onto the eggshell. That's when I decided to try and expand on my hobby of carving and try my hand at eggshell etching.

On August 8, 2006, I saw the Olympic pictograms printed in a newspaper. Each pictogram was made up of simple lines, and yet they were so animated, so vivid. Perfect for etching onto eggshells, I thought.

So I attempted to etch these pictograms onto eggshells. First, I photocopied the pictograms so that each one would fit onto an eggshell. Then I traced them onto the eggshells. And finally, with an engraving knife, I started the etching process. Each cut had to be made gingerly; it was a real test of my will. By the time I had finished the last etching, the 35 pictograms had become engrained in my memory.

And there was no going back; I have since recorded every subsequent Olympic milestone by etching my memories onto eggshells.

Every corner of our home has reminders of the Olympics: Every eggshell, every wall hanging is related to the Olympics. I've even set up a display stand in the style of a pagoda for my Olympic pictogram eggshells in the middle of the house. At the top of the display is a gourd with the Olympic slogan etched into its surface.

My Olympic etched eggshells enable everybody to feel the power of the Olympic atmosphere. I hope that all Beijing residents will pay more attention to the Olympics. I hope they too can use their skills to publicize the Olympics and feel the joy of the Olympics. Meanwhile, I will continue etching my Olympic dreams onto eggshells.