In a vibrant celebration of the Lantern Festival on March 3, over 20 international students and faculty from Shanghai University, along with expatriate families from Jiading district, gathered in Zhouqiao Old Street to experience the rich traditions of Chinese culture.
The Lantern Festival, a beloved Chinese holiday symbolizing reunion and hope, offered these guests a chance to immerse themselves in cultural activities.
As night fell, Zhouqiao Old Street lit up with lanterns, dragon and lion dances, creating a festive atmosphere. The guests, proudly carrying their handmade rabbit lanterns, joined the bustling celebrations, their faces aglow with the lanterns' warm light, creating a memorable scene of cultural exchange and joy.
An international student shows her handmade rabbit lantern for the Lantern Festival celebration. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
A participant from Turkmenistan expressed a keen interest in making traditional rabbit lanterns. "Creating a lantern by hand feels more meaningful than buying one," she said.
The cultural immersion continued with a delightful tasting of tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls, while also exploring the customs surrounding the Lantern Festival.
They were introduced to the fascinating world of traditional Chinese opera. At Baihe Academy, a Kunqu Opera teacher demonstrated the graceful art of water sleeve movements. Gao Ming from South Sudan watched eagerly, trying to mimic the elegant gestures. "This is my first real experience with Chinese opera, and I love its elegance," said Gao.
Participants also enjoyed a lively opera makeup session. Under expert instruction, they transformed into opera characters, complete with traditional makeup and costumes. A participant from Azerbaijan was thrilled with her transformation, saying, "I've only seen this on TV before. I love the Chinese elements in the costumes and makeup."
Under expert instruction, a participant learns the graceful art of water sleeve movements. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]