With the elegance of Hanfu, singing and dancing, colorful painted moon-shaped fans, embroidered fragrant sachets, and the aroma of delicious food, the “Understanding Contemporary China” Cultural and Creative Market Fair, organized by the School of Foreign Languages and the School of International Education and Studies, was held with great enthusiasm on November 8th. Students from China, Russia, Morocco, and other countries participated in the event.
The opening ceremony commenced with captivating Chinese-style songs and dances, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Chinese students, dressed in traditional costumes from various dynasties such as the Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing, introduced cultural activities like painted moon-shaped fans, embroidered sachets, embroidery, paper-cutting, and arrow throwing. These activities allowed domestic and international students to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture up close. Many international students lined up at the booths with traditional Chinese culture, where Chinese students narrated stories of intangible cultural heritage in fluent English. Through immersive on-site experiences, both Chinese and international students gained a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
At the cultural booths representing various countries, international students from Russia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and other nations showcased their own cultures. These “vendors” students, dressed in their traditional costumes, beaming with smiles, and tirelessly greeted “customers” with great enthusiasm. Featuring Indonesian noodles, Turkmen sweets, Moroccan nut pastries, and more, the booths were bustling and packed with people, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. Melodious music filled the fair, and many students stopped to enjoy the performances on the lawn, with traditional Chinese songs and dances further enhancing the festive mood.
Dai Enze, a Grade 2022 student from English-Spanish and the activity coordinator, said, “I try my best to introduce traditional Chinese culture to international students. Everyone is communicating in English, working together to create an immersive foreign language environment. The atmosphere is fantastic. Not only does it improve our communication and coordination skills, but also strengthen our sense of mission in spreading Chinese culture.”
This event is a signature practice of the School of Foreign Languages in implementing the “Three-Entry (Textbook, Classroom and Mind)” Work of ideological and political work in courses. It has established a systematic, distinctive, and effective platform for “Party Building + Culture,” leveraging the “small” market fair to play a significant role in education. It aims to accelerate the cultivation of high-quality foreign language talents who can tell China’s stories well and make China’s voice heard.
