In celebration of the Chinese New Year of the Horse, the Mingzhitang Chinese Character Brick Exhibition Hall in Shanghai's Jiading district hosted a cultural event on Feb 3, immersing expats and locals in a festive atmosphere.
In the museum's brick exhibition, ancient bricks engraved with the Chinese character "Ma", meaning "horse", were explained in multiple languages, allowing everyone to appreciate their cultural significance in China.
Attendees learn the traditional art of ink rubbing. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
Guests also learned the traditional art of ink rubbing, creating impressions of ancient horse designs under guided instruction.
Patrick, a Swiss resident of Jiading for over 10 years, found the experience particularly special. "The ink rubbing process was unique for our family," he said. "Living in Jiading, I hope more international friends can experience China's rich culture and everyday life. I'm sure they'll love it."
A lion dance performance captivates everyone present. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
The celebration also featured the vibrant drumbeats and an exciting lion dance, captivating everyone present. Skilled artisans showcased their crafts, including sugar painting, intricate paper cutting, and calligraphy, in which they wrote the character "Fu", meaning "blessing" or "fortune". These displays of traditional arts fascinated the audience.
Fatima Zahrae, a student from Morocco at Shanghai University, tried her hand at calligraphy for the first time. "This is my first experience with Spring Festival customs! I'm excited to hang this 'Fu' on my window for good luck," she said.
Fatima Zahrae (L) and her "Fu" calligraphy. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
A local resident surnamed Wang, attending with her family, shared her joy: "My daughter was curious about couplets, and today she got to see how they're made. It's been a wonderful learning experience for her and our whole family."