On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 24, the College of International  Education held an online event "Experience the beauty of Chinese  festivals" for international students from all over the world. The event  introduced Chinese festivals and their interesting stories, spread  Chinese culture, enhanced the friendship, and helped international  students understand the wonderful Chinese culture, history, customs and  other aspects.

The sharing meeting presented wonderful and interesting Chinese  festivals to international students through pictures, videos, etc., for  example: Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new in the Spring  Festival; Eating dumplings and guessing lantern riddles during the  Lantern Festival; Racing dragon boats and eating rice dumplings  during the Dragon Boat Festival; Enjoying the beautiful love legend of  "The Cowherd and Weaver Girl" during the Qixi Festival;  Expressing gratitude and respecting the elderly during the Double Ninth  Festival. The meeting also introduced the festivals of ethnic  minorities, including the Water Splashing Festival, which showcases the  music and dance culture of the Dai people, and the bonfire festival of  the Olunchun. Besides, it shared some new festivals formed in the  Internet Age such as the Double Eleven Shopping Festival. While  introducing each interesting Chinese festival to the international  students, the exchange also presented them with the rich and colorful  social life and cultural context of the Chinese ancestors, showing the  profound historical and cultural connotation of China.

DUPLEY PRINCESS Q, a student from Libya in North Africa, said: "This  event is a good opportunity for overseas students to understand Chinese  culture. I am very happy to learn so much about traditional Chinese  culture. I think I feel the charm of Chinese festivals!" The successful  event not only enhanced the friendship between international students  and Chinese students, but also improved their understanding of Chinese  traditional festivals. Through the introduction and sharing, the event  helped international students understand the profound cultural heritage  and historical inheritance behind festivals, and deepened  their all-around understanding of Chinese history and culture.

Written by: Zhang Ruyi

Photos by: Xu Nan

Reviewed by: Chen Wei