On the morning of December 29, SCMU held its traditional cultural experience activities to welcome the New Year. The event, organized by the University Youth League Committee and the Library, was co-hosted by the Calligraphy and Painting Association, Paper Cutting Association, Creative Chinese Knot Association, Rose Garden Poetry Society, and South Lake Poetry Society. The event featured activities like writing Spring Festival couplets, paper cutting, and Chinese knot weaving, which attracted many teachers and students to experience traditional Chinese folk culture. Li Hongyan, a member of the university’s Party Committee and vice-president, along with heads of relevant departments, participated in the event with the students.
The venue was beautifully decorated with Spring Festival couplets, each meticulously crafted by members of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, offering heartfelt blessings to both faculty and students. Over a fortnight, the association’s members dedicated themselves to themes that emphasized strengthening a shared sense of Chinese national identity, embodying the essence of the 20th Party Congress, bolstering cultural confidence, and celebrating the upcoming Year of the Dragon. Niu Huqing, a 2021 student from the School of Fine Arts and leader of the association, explained that the event featured both ready-made couplets and personalized ones, such as “Good Luck All Year Round” and “Success in Every Exam”, tailored to meet students’ individual wishes. The paper cutting workshop was a hit among attendees, showcasing a range of designs from basic “Spring” and “Blessing” characters to more intricate scenes and figures, all under the skilled guidance of the Paper Cutting Association members. Another highlight was the Chinese knotting workshop, where students eagerly learned to create these symbols of good fortune and joy, contributing to the event’s festive spirit.
Ma Zichen, a 2022 student from the School of Resources and Environmental Science, was delighted to receive a “Blessing” character and a personalized Spring Festival couplet. “These couplets symbolize our hopes for the future. They intertwine our desires with cultural motifs, creating beautiful blessings imbued with the spirit of the New Year”, Ma expressed. He voiced his hope for the continuation of such events, which play a crucial role in preserving and promoting China’s rich traditional heritage.
Teachers and Students Participate Together in Traditional Cultural Experience.
Photographed by Zhou Guifang
Calligraphy and Painting Association Enthusiasts Write Spring Festival Couplets On-site.
Photographed by Zhou Guifang
Looking forward to the 2024 Chinese New Year, the university has launched the “Huayun · Yaji” Original Spring Festival Couplet Contest, receiving an impressive 195 entries. In celebration of the Lunar New Year, these calligraphic masterpieces will be displayed across dormitories and other university spaces, extending festive greetings and warm wishes to the entire SCMU community.
Edited by Liu Qiong, Reviewed by Lei Changsheng
