On November 23, SCMU launched the “Unity in Diversity” Chinese Culture Exchange Festival at the South Lake Sports Field. Organized by the Student Affairs Department and supported by various schools, the event aimed to consolidate a sense of community for the Chinese nation. Attendees included Party Secretary Bian Jing, Deputy Party Secretary and President Liu Yi, and Vice President Li Hongyan. Faculty and students gathered to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture.
The Student Affairs Department, in collaboration with related schools, set up seven unique cultural experience booths. These booths allowed students to engage directly with traditional Chinese culture. “I tried making decorative paper using ancient techniques with dried flowers. It was fascinating!” exclaimed Tian Xiaolan, a 2024 student from the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Other activities included making herbal sachets, crafting handmade soap, creating lacquer fans, playing pitch-pot, tie-dyeing, Hanfu DIY, and tea art demonstrations. “Our Splendid Garments Zone featured tie-dye and Hanfu DIY, offering a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture”, said Buriga, a 2022 student from the School of Fine Arts. Additionally, the “Beautiful China” photo spot allowed students to mark their hometowns on a map and take photos. “The stamp carving activity reminded me of the Tujia brocade. Such events highlight the rich traditions of various ethnic groups”, said Tian Jiaxin, a Tujia student from the School of Management.
Hanfu DIY. Photo by Ling Xue
TCM identification game. Photo by Deng Sitong
The stage performances were equally captivating, divided into three main sections: “Youthful Harmony”, “Opera Elegance”, and “Red Melody”. Between performances, hosts engaged the audience with trivia questions, offering cultural gifts as prizes, adding fun and interaction to the cultural feast. The School of Physical Education’s dragon and lion dance amazed the audience with its agility. The Youth League’s Peking Opera “Sword Dance” showcased the elegance of traditional theater. The powerful chorus “Chinese” filled everyone with pride. Dance, recitation, fashion shows, instrumental ensembles, and skits amazed the audience. Performers trained for one to two months, focusing on ethnic and Chinese cultural themes. Zhou Xinyi and Zhang Han from the Training Camp introduced their program “United as One”, featuring dances from the Han, Yi, Tibetan, Uygur, and Kazakh ethnic groups. “Learning these dances made me feel the warmth of our united nation”, Zhang Han said proudly.
Dance performance. Photo by Li Yuanxing
Dragon and lion dance. Photo by Li Yuanxing
Dance performance. Photo by Zhang Qinguo
Li Hongyan expressed that the Chinese Culture Exchange Festival is a grand stage for everyone to showcase their talents and contribute. She encouraged all faculty and students to participate enthusiastically, using their passion and wisdom to write a new chapter of unity at SCMU. She envisioned the campus as fertile ground for the inheritance and development of Chinese culture, allowing higher education to shine brightly in the new era.
