by Yoilia and Martina
On November 2nd, we held the Chinese Culture Festival which highlighted the positive role of traditional Chinese culture in the new era of cultural confidence, and played an important role in passing on traditional Chinese culture and spreading new ideas about Chinese culture through various distinctive elements.
The first part was about traditional Chinese activities, including how to dye canvas bags with leaves, make grasshoppers with palm leaves, paint lanterns and make simple shadow puppets. The canvas tie-dye activity tested the students’ skills of putting thoughts into practice. Every step was important, from choosing the right leaf shape, to tapping with tools. Also, making grasshoppers with palm leaves was fun. It was a test of patience and skill, but everyone ended up with a very good and vivid image. Compared to the other two activities, lantern and simple shadow puppet painting is a continuation of traditional skills. Each stroke and element of each painting together forms a whole that is beautiful and incredible.
The second part was a fashion show of traditional costumes which followed three epochs: the ancient period, the Republic of China period and the modern period. The participants were all dressed up in typical costumes that represent well the three time periods in Chinese history. The first part of the runway show of Chinese costumes made people dream back to the early dynasties with silk Chinese costumes that were ethereally light: cloud-coloured long skirts stretched along the ankle, showing a light silk line with the front slightly open, and a bell chain wrapped around the waist, tinkling as they walk. It is enchanting, the bottom is like a light white. The second act was also spectacular. Compared to the beauty of the Chinese costume, the cheongsam is more charming, with its flowing melody and rich poetry celebrating the wearer’s virtue, elegant and gentle: it is a kind of complex dream of Chinese ideals, highlighting the beauty. The bright and beautiful cheongsam is a reflection of the endless prosperity of Shanghai. The last group of Chinese fashion is an interesting combination of traditional elements and modern fashion elements, combining the elegance of the first section and the charm of the second with a distinctive modern twist.
Culture is the soul of a country and a nation. We should protect and inherit traditional Chinese culture, and explore its rich connotation, in order to better strengthen cultural confidence and the cohesion of national spirit.