Students recreate fallen soldiers’ faces for families

In Anhui province, China, students from Anhui Normal University are working to recreate portraits of fallen soldiers for their families.

Many families of soldiers who died in past conflicts do not have photographs of their loved ones. Recognizing this, the university launched the "Red Youth Guardians" volunteer team in 2021. The team members sketch portraits of soldiers based on accounts from family members and historical records, offering a visual connection to those lost.

The project began with six students led by counselor Wang Wei and has since grown to over 400 participants. They have completed portraits of over 600 soldiers, extending their reach to neighboring provinces like Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The students don’t simply draw; they research historical details, restore damaged images using artificial intelligence, conduct field visits, and even create illustrated storybooks about the soldiers’ lives.

One beneficiary was 86-year-old Xia Guangying, who hadn’t seen a picture of her father, Xia Tie, a soldier who died in 1944. When student Li Mingyue presented the portrait, Xia said she finally felt she had no regrets. Li Mingyue spent a month and a half creating the image, working without a photo of Xia Tie and relying on descriptions from relatives.

The team also helped 104-year-old woman receive a portrait of her husband, a soldier she hadn't seen in decades. The university has established a studio dedicated to the project, recognizing its value in both artistic development and patriotic education.