On the afternoon of April 3rd, the School of International Education (SIE) of Dalian University of Technology (DUT), in conjunction with the DUT Language Exchange Association, successfully held a cultural experience activity themed "Experiencing the Elegance of Qingming, Inheriting Chinese Culture" in Room A201 of Haichuan Building.
Aimed at offering immersive cultural experiences, the event helped international students gain an in-depth understanding of the spiritual essence of traditional Chinese festivals and strengthen cultural identity, while promoting language communication and emotional integration between Chinese and international students. Chinese students and international students from dozens of countries gathered together to savor the grace of Qingming and pass on the heritage of Chinese culture in the spring breeze.
The activity kicked off with a cultural lecture. The host systematically introduced traditional customs such as tomb sweeping and ancestor worship, spring outings, kite flying, and willow planting, as well as the cultural implication of Qingtuan (green rice cake), a seasonal delicacy, around the natural rhythm and humanistic spirit of the Qingming Festival. Through the incisive explanation, Chinese and international students developed a more comprehensive understanding of the dual cultural connotations of Qingming Festival: commemorating ancestors, cherishing the present, and embracing nature, laying a solid cognitive foundation for the following experience sessions.
In the subsequent interactive communication, the ice-breaking session was carried out in the form of bilingual self-introductions. All participants spoke enthusiastically and communicated sincerely, creating a relaxed and lively atmosphere that quickly narrowed the distance between each other. Then, two traditional games, Doucao (grass competing) and Touhu (arrow throwing), were staged in turn. Students competed in groups and cooperated tacitly, experiencing the leisure of ancient people’s spring outings during Qingming and the wisdom and charm of traditional games amid laughter and joy.
In the handcraft creation session, students gave full play to their creativity with materials provided on site and made unique spring wind chimes. After completing their works, Chinese and international students took the stage in pairs to share their creative inspiration and implications in both Chinese and English. The creative expression and cultural integration added a touching highlight to the whole activity.
This Qingming Festival cultural experience activity organically integrated cultural lectures, fun interactions and handcraft practices. It enabled international students to directly feel the warmth of Qingming customs and traditional Chinese festivals in a relaxed and immersive way, and also built a high-quality platform for Chinese and international students to communicate, practice languages and learn from each other’s cultures.
In the future, the School of International Education will continue to take traditional festivals as a carrier and cultural experience as a path, launching more student-oriented, interesting and vivid cultural experience activities. This will allow international students to feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture through immersive participation, integrate into campus life in relaxed communication, and create precious and unforgettable memories during their study in China.
