Lantern Festival Warmth

A Home Away from Home

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, international students from Shanghai University traveled to two destinations—Meilan West Lake Park in Luodian, Baoshan District, and Zhouqiao Old Street in Jiading. Through a festival experience packed with "beautiful sights, delicious food, and hands-on fun," they immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture and walked away with warm, colorful memories of the Lantern Festival.

At the main stage of the "Yaoyao Lantern Festival Garden Party" in Baoshan, the Shanghai University "Haiyi" International Student Choir, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, performed the song "May Your Wish Come True." Their performance offered a cross-cultural blessing and added a vibrant touch of cultural fusion to the Shanghai-style Lantern Festival celebration.

The Shanghai University "Haiyi" International Student Choir

Meanwhile, another group of international students explored Zhouqiao Old Street in Jiading for a deep dive into traditional culture. In the afternoon, they visited Baihe Academy, where a Kunqu opera instructor taught them the art of water sleeves. A student from South Sudan, Gao Ming, focused intently on mimicking the instructor's movements. Though his technique was still raw, he was deeply drawn to the subtle beauty of the opera. Nearby, at the makeup station, a female student from Azerbaijan tried on opera makeup and costumes. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she said she was "genuinely curious about the style of Chinese opera."

International Students Try Their Hand at Chinese Opera

As night fell, steaming bowls of tangyuan were served. The students sat together, enjoying the warm treat. Afterward, they made rabbit-shaped lanterns by hand, carefully cutting and assembling each piece. One student held up his finished lantern and smiled: "Making one yourself means more than just buying it." Lights began to glow across the old street as a lion dance performance kicked off. Carrying their handmade rabbit lanterns, the students joined a procession of glowing fish lanterns, walking alongside local visitors across the ancient bridge. Under the lights and along the water, they experienced the unique warmth of a Lantern Festival in Jiangnan water town.

Lantern Festival Warmth by the Waterside

From the stage in Baoshan to the immersive experiences in Jiading, the international students of Shanghai University were more than just spectators this Lantern Festival—they were participants and cultural ambassadors. Amid the bright lights and festive atmosphere, they found joy. At the intersection of tradition and modernity, each told their own version of the China story, breathing new life into this ancient festival through the encounter of diverse cultures.

Source: Shanghai University