TAG-Confucius Institute Holds Chinese Cultural Festival at English Talents School

On October 20, TAG-Confucius Institute (TAG-CI) was invited to hold Chinese Cultural Festival at English Talents School. TAG-CI designed a series of interactive cultural activities, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, paper-cutting, origami, chopstick-using, and Connect Four game. Additionally, TAG-CI teacher gave a lecture on classical Chinese culture. Ms. Lana Khalid Alkhatib, Director of the School Activity Department, Dr. Yang Songfang, Chinese Director of TAG-CI, Ms. Randa Al-Yabroudi, Deputy Director of TAG-CI, CI teachers, and about 230 students and teachers from Grade one, two and five participated in the event.

The students, under the guidance of their teachers, were divided into groups to take turns experiencing a variety of distinctive cultural activities.

In the calligraphy section, Ms. Zang Xiaonan taught students how to hold the brush and trace Chinese characters, letting them appreciate the beauty of brush and ink. She also wrote a Chinese name for each student, which the children cherished with delight and fascination shining on their faces.

In the tea ceremony section, Ms. Randa Al-Yabroudi elegantly presented the art and etiquette of Chinese tea culture.  Students admired the color, fragrance and taste of the tea, experiencing the serene aroma and distinctive charm of the East.
 
The paper-cutting and origami section was bustling with activity. Under the patient guidance of teachers Guan Xia and Xu Shan, students crafted delicate window decorations and the 4-D Chinese character “春” (meaning “spring”) from colored paper, and folded butterflies, flower baskets, and other creative pieces. The children proudly displayed their creations, filling the venue with cheerful laughter.

The fun games were a big hit with the students. Mr. Su Hanyuan introduced Chinese culinary culture and showed the children how to use chopsticks. The following chopstick bean-picking contest created a lively and exciting atmosphere. 

In the Connect Four session, Dr. Yang Songfang explained the rules and strategies, and the children, while enjoying the friendly competition, not only improved their hand-eye coordination but also experienced the intelligence and charm of traditional Chinese games.

In the final session of the event, Mr. Su delivered an engaging presentation on classical Chinese culture for the teachers and students.

 Through vivid video demonstrations and teacher-student interaction, the students not only learned about the Four Great Inventions of ancient China and their development but also gained a direct understanding of the historical and cultural heritage of Beijing, the capital of China.

What touched the teachers most was the scene at the end of the event. Students saw TAG-CI teachers as “celebrities” and excitedly asked for their signatures, on notebooks, hands, wrists, and even T-shirts. Every Chinese character became a vivid testimony to their joyful encounter with the Chinese language.

Through a series of vibrant and interactive activities, the TAG-CI team inspired students to experience the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

 The event not only brought the charm of Chinese culture vividly to life, but also provided students with a valuable opportunity to broaden their global horizons and foster deeper cross-cultural understanding.

 Ms. Lana Khalid Alkhatib expressed her gratitude to the TAG-CI team for their dedication and looked forward to further collaboration in the future. The festival concluded perfectly amid the students’ genuine enthusiasm.