To celebrate International Chinese Language Day and promote the overseas dissemination of Chinese culture, the School of International Education at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine recently organized a spring cultural experience event titled "Singing in Chinese to Spread Language, Eulogizing TCM Classics" for its Chinese language major international students. Through activities such as spring outings, Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) experiences, singing Chinese songs, and reciting TCM classics, a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world was built. The event attracted over 70 international students from more than 20 countries.

Exploring Cultural Origins:

Stepping into Yudun Ancient Village, Experiencing its Past and Cultural Heritage 

The first stop of the event was Yudun Village in Situan Town, Fengxian District. Here, the international students embarked on a journey to explore the village's rich history and its integration with TCM culture. At the village history museum, they listened to the story of the century-old fishing village. The ship specimens and ancient raincoats on display in the museum attracted the students' attention. Under the guidance of their teachers, they reviewed a classic poem line: "A lonely fisherman adrift, fishing snow in a lonely boat."

The Fusion of Art and Culture:

Communicating Through Song and Opera: Revitalizing Classics

In the afternoon, the students changed into traditional Chinese costumes and moved to the Baolong Cultural Plaza, where a unique artistic performance began. The international students conveyed ideas and values through eight meticulously choreographed Chinese language songs they performed.  The classic song "The Moon Represents My Heart" and the viral hit "Lovers Miss Each Other" inspired the on-site audience to join in a grand chorus.  An African student, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, ignited the stage with an African dance.  The children from Qingxi Primary School in Fengxian District performed five classic excerpts of Yue Opera for the international students. They showcased the excerpt "Butterfly Lovers: The Eighteen-Mile Farewell" in traditional costumes and delivered "Dream of the Red Chamber: Reading Western Chamber" in the local dialect. This allowed international students to appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese opera. On stage, the children's childlike voices blended harmoniously with the international students' singing, a fusion of tradition and modernity that earned rounds of applause from the audience.

Market Fun:

TCM Wisdom Enters Daily Life

After the performance, the international students strolled through the spring market. Crowds gathered around stalls selling handmade traditional Chinese medicine sachets, tea blends inspired by the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, and stalls where sugar figurines were crafted. As the event neared its conclusion, the international students, alongside doctors from the Situan Town Community Health Service Center, recited passages from the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon).

This event innovatively integrated language learning with cultural experiences, adopting an approach of learning through play and gaining insights through performances. It enabled international students to experience the charm of the Chinese language and the essence of TCM outside the campus.

Source: the School of International Education at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine