TAG-Confucius Institute Co-Hosts 2026 “Tea for Harmony” Cultural Gala and “Nihao! China” Presentation

On June 18, as the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival approached, TAG-Confucius Institute (TAG-CI) and Chinese Cultural Center in Amman jointly hosted “Aroma of Zongzi, Melody of Heritage”-2026 “Tea for Harmony” Cultural Gala and “Nihao! China!” Presentation. Mr. Zhao Xiaoqiang, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Jordan and Director of Chinese Cultural Center in Amman, Dr. Yang Songfang, Chinese Director of TAG-CI, Mr. Mamoun Abu Al-Sebaa, Jordanian Director of TAG-CI, Ms. Randa Al-Yabroudi, Deputy Director of TAG-CI, teachers and students of TAG-CI, as well as guests from various sectors of Jordanian society, attended the event. Nearly 200 people gathered to experience the charm of Chinese tea culture and Dragon Boat Festival traditions. The event was moderated by Mr. Su Hanyuan, a Chinese teacher from TAG-CI.
The event opened with an engaging promotional video introducing China’s tourism resources. Through vivid images of China’s magnificent landscapes, historical and cultural heritage, and modern development achievements, the video presented a warm invitation of “Nihao! China” to the guests.
In his speech, Cultural Counselor Mr. Zhao Xiaoqiang noted that culture thrives through exchange and develops through mutual learning. He emphasized that cultural exchanges between China and Jordan serve as an important bridge for enhancing mutual understanding and deepening friendship between the two peoples.
The first part of the event featured a themed lecture on Chinese tea culture and the Dragon Boat Festival delivered by Dr. Yang Songfang. 

Through presentations, images, and videos, Dr. Yang provided an accessible and engaging introduction to the long history of Chinese tea culture, tea-making techniques, tea-drinking customs, and the wisdom behind tea. She also shared the similarities and interactions between Chinese and Jordanian tea cultures. 
She introduced that in 2022, traditional Chinese tea processing techniques and associated social practices were inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
She explained that tea is not only a way of life but also carries the Chinese philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature. It has become an important bond connecting different civilizations and promoting mutual understanding among peoples. During the lecture, Ms. Randa Al-Yabroudi demonstrated Chinese tea art. Through an elegant and standardized tea-brewing process, she offered guests an opportunity to experience the unique charm of Chinese tea culture.
While introducing the Dragon Boat Festival, Dr. Yang explained its historical origins, traditional customs, and cultural significance. She noted that the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals and the first traditional Chinese festival to be included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Customs such as dragon boat racing, making Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), hanging mugwort leaves, and wearing scented sachets reflect the Chinese people’s pursuit of health, unity, and a better life. The Dragon Boat Festival has become not only a Chinese celebration but also an important window for the world to learn about Chinese culture and appreciate Chinese civilization.

The lecture and Chinese tea ceremony were warmly received by the audience. Through Dr. Yang and Ms. Randa’s vivid presentation, the guests gained a deeper understanding of Chinese tea culture and Dragon Boat Festival traditions.
The second part of the event featured a wonderful cultural performance. Children from TAG-CI presented a medley of children’s songs, including “Counting Ducks” “Little Star” and “Pulling the Radish”. Their lively and innocent performances showcased the joy of learning Chinese and received warm applause from the audience. 
Community children guided by TAG-CI teacher Ms. Guan Xia performed “Where Is Spring”, winning appreciation with their clear voices and natural movements. Adult Chinese learners from TAG-CI delivered the finale performance “The Same Song” using music to convey friendship and best wishes and bringing the atmosphere to a climax. 
The event concluded with a warm “Zongzi Tasting and Cultural Exchange” session. Guests gathered together to enjoy tea and Zongzi while sharing their thoughts on cultural experiences. Many participants expressed that the event not only provided Jordanian audience with an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture at close range but also further promoted cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Jordan.
In the future, TAG-CI will continue to serve as a bridge for language and cultural exchange, further deepen people-to-people and cultural ties between China and Jordan, and contribute to the promotion of exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Arab civilizations.