On the evening of December 4th, the School of International Education successfully held the opening ceremony of the 2nd International Student Chinese Culture Festival in Room 301, Jinghui Building. With the theme of Bridged by Chinese, Integrated through Culture, the event gathered international students from 17 countries to embark on a cross-border cultural feast beyond language barriers. Shi Xiaming, Member of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Dean of Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Theatre, was invited to attend and give guidance. Shen Yun, Secretary of the General Party Branch, Zhang Min, Deputy Secretary, together with teachers of the international student teaching and management team, participated in the activity.
In her speech, Shen Yun took local tea culture as a metaphor to vividly illustrate the close connection between language learning and cultural understanding. She encouraged international students to experience the profoundness of Chinese culture through Chinese learning and strive to be ambassadors for Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. A highlight video of the previous culture festival evoked warm memories. Afterwards, Zhang Min introduced the overall arrangement of this year’s event, including language competitions, cultural experiences and art performances, which greatly stimulated students’ enthusiasm for participation. Amid exciting countdowns, the 2nd International Student Chinese Culture Festival officially kicked off.
The talent show presented splendid and diverse performances. Cui Wenjie from the College of Military and National Defense Education performed the traditional clapper talk Three Attacks on the White Bone Demon, demonstrating the unique charm of traditional Chinese folk art with lively rhythms. Six international students including Ikhen and Aruka from Mongolia delivered elegant traditional ethnic dances, showcasing exotic styles and winning warm applause.
As the highlight of the ceremony, Shi Xiaming, National First-Class Actor and Plum Blossom Award winner, gave a special lecture entitled Young Gentlemen from Afar — The Performing Art of Kunqu Opera Young Male Roles. With profound artistic attainments, he offered easy-to-understand professional explanations combined with vivid on-site demonstrations. He led all teachers and students to immerse themselves in the elegant charm of Kunqu Opera and appreciate its classical artistic conception and exquisite essence. Through the dialogue between ancient and modern cultures as well as the integration of Chinese and Western elements, the lecture achieved cultural resonance across time and borders, allowing the unique glamour of traditional opera to shine on the international exchange stage.
The event concluded successfully with a group photo of all guests, teachers and students. It is reported that a series of themed activities will be carried out during the culture festival to enrich international students’ Chinese learning experience, deepen Sino-foreign cultural exchanges and further boost the construction of an international campus atmosphere.
Written by: Wang Ting
Preliminary Review: Zhang Min
Final Review: Shen Yun
