The Flower Festival exudes fragrance, and immersive experiences nourish the soul. Recently, the International Education College, in collaboration with the Library and the School of Humanities, organized a unique language and cultural exchange event for Chinese and international faculty and students at the Anding Book Bar in the West Campus Library. Centered on China's traditional "Flower Festival," the event featured participation from postgraduate students in international Chinese education and attracted over fifty international students from dozens of countries.
At the outset of the event, Chen Xiaozhen, a faculty member from the International Education College, presented an illustrated overview of the "Flower Festival," detailing its historical origins, seasonal customs, and the profound symbolism of cherishing spring, loving flowers, and seeking blessings. This was followed by a captivating traditional-style short play titled "The Silent Peach Blossoms," self-written, directed, and performed by four international students. Adapted from the historical anecdote of "Lady Xi" from the Spring and Autumn Period, the students 'performances, though still somewhat raw, resonated deeply with the audience through their sincere emotional delivery, earning enthusiastic applause. The event featured a digital empowerment segment where international students portrayed the "Five Flower Deities" —representing plum blossoms, apricot blossoms, peonies, pomegranates, and lotuses—who made a stunning entrance. Teachers and students scanned QR codes to vote for their preferred "Flower Deity," blending tradition with modernity to significantly enhance the event's engaging appeal and participation.
After the event, the students on site divided into two groups based on their interests and engaged in a Hanfu experience session along with a storytelling relay game centered around the theme "The Silent Peach Blossoms."
Since April 2025, the International Chinese Language Education faculty team at the International Education College has been conducting "Chinese Corner" activities in classrooms, aiming to enhance international students 'exposure to Chinese communication and strengthen their understanding of China's national context. This themed event was initiated by the Second Party Branch of the International Education College faculty, enriching the program's content through situational drama performances that leveraged the professional expertise of faculty Party members, thereby expanding on-campus platforms for international students' cultural education
