On August 7, the European Chinese teacher delegation, part of the China-Europe International Chinese Education Diverse Collaboration and Exploration Program, had an enriching and exciting day diving into various aspects of Chinese culture.
In the morning, the delegation was led by Ju Hui, the head of Chinese Language and Culture Publishing Branch at Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, in a book exhibition held at the School of Media and International Culture. The exhibition featured a wide range of materials, from basic to advanced Chinese textbooks, practical spoken Chinese to Chinese culture, including books on Chinese culture tailored for the French audience. The editors from the publishing house personally introduced the highlights and specialties of the exhibition to the European Chinese teacher delegation.
In the afternoon, under the guidance of Teacher Gong Junji, the delegation visited the Shuangfeng Pavilion area of the Hangzhou Tea Museum, a place rich in tea culture, marking another station in their continuous exploration of traditional Chinese culture. The tea, transformed from a simple leaf to a symbolic beverage of the nation by ancient Chinese, is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. The meticulously crafted tea garden landscapes and the exquisite antique tea culture exhibition within the pavilion offered the visitors a mesmerizing experience, immersing them in the traditional tea culture of China.
Tea is an art, extending beyond its picking and brewing. The art of tea-pouring, popular during the Song Dynasty, was learned by the delegation under the guidance of skilled instructors, adding a ceremonial essence to the tea experience.
Come evening, the long-anticipated Chinese classical music appreciation event unfolded. Dr. Shi Jian, the Dean of the Ya Department Research Institute, led traditional music teachers in delivering a captivating Chinese string and woodwind performance to the European Chinese teachers. Starting with the flute, Dr. Shi introduced various Chinese traditional musical instruments to the audience. The flute, symbolizing the first breath of human civilization 9,000 years ago, and the rich array of string and woodwind instruments, showcased the rich heritage and evolution of Chinese musical instruments over centuries. Each note resonated across the hall, echoing the ancient sounds of China, transcending time and space, and providing a profound cultural experience to the European educators.
