On February 2nd, the "Discovering Fun in Youngpu" cultural experience activity for foreign friends was held smoothly. The event was guided by the Yangpu District Culture and Tourism Bureau (Yangpu District Cultural Relics Bureau) and organized by the Yangpu District Culture and Tourism Management Center (Cultural Relics Management Center), the Yangpu District Cultural and Art Center, and other institutions.
Five international students from our university, hailing from Uzbekistan, Japan, Malawi, and Ghana, joined international students from Fudan University, Tongji University, and Shanghai University of Sport, as well as foreign tourists and influential online personalities, to participate in the event. Centered around themes such as martial arts and intangible cultural heritage (ICH), the activity allowed foreign friends to experience the authentic Chinese New Year while gaining an appreciation for the profound and enduring Chinese culture.
The first stop of the event was the Chinese Martial Arts Museum located on the campus of Shanghai University of Sport. Here, our international students tried their hand at traditional Chinese sports such as cuju (ancient Chinese football), chuiwan (a traditional Chinese golf-like game), toupot (arrow throwing), and archery, experiencing the vitality of Chinese sports culture. Dressed in blue training uniforms, the students learned martial arts movements under the guidance of professional instructors, getting a firsthand taste of "Oriental strength."
Blessings Kamtema from Malawi said: "In front of the former Shanghai Special Municipal Government Building, I was fortunate enough to watch an amazing sword performance. The performer was agile and the sword gleamed, capturing my full attention. I was deeply impressed by the beauty of Chinese martial arts and couldn't wait to share this feeling with my friends."
Next, the students headed to the Yangpu Cultural and Art Center to embark on a delightful journey of tea art experience. During the Song Dynasty-style tea-making demonstration and hands-on activity, the students donned traditional Chinese fashion, learned tea ceremony etiquette, tasted Chinese snacks, and enjoyed performances of guqin (ancient Chinese zither), violin, and pipa (Chinese lute), immersing themselves in the tranquility and elegance of the experience.
Prince Addo from Ghana expressed his excitement: "How wonderful and harmonious everything was. The traditional Eastern music blended perfectly with the romantic Western melodies, much like us international students who have integrated into China. I truly cherish this opportunity to step into the community and get up close with intangible cultural heritage."
The final destination of the event was the Pen and Ink Palace, a national-level ICH production protection demonstration base, where the students immersed themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture through calligraphy and ink. They marveled at the ancient craftsmanship and even tried their hand at gilding ink sticks during the fun experience sessions, getting an intimate touch of ICH.
The students also used their pens to write heartfelt blessings for their families and friends. Amova from Uzbekistan shared her wishes: "Though my writing may be clumsy, every stroke I make allows me to feel the beauty and power of Chinese characters. On this joyous occasion of the Spring Festival, I wish everyone peace and happiness in the new year!"
This event was not only an in-depth experience of traditional Chinese culture but also a wonderful moment for international students to step into the community, exchange ideas, share cultures, and build friendships. Under the impetus of the district-university party building linkage mechanism, international students stepped out of the campus, delved into the community, and experienced the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture firsthand. Moving forward, SUFE will continue to promote cooperation, enabling international students to tell China's stories well, integrate into the country, and create more beautiful memories.
