On January 31st, the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Leshan Grand Temple Fair was bustling with people and filled with excitement. A group of international students from Leshan Vocational and Technical College, dressed in traditional costumes from their respective countries, attracted much attention. Invited by the Leshan Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau and led by teachers from the college’s International Cooperation Office, they eagerly experienced the charm of traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage (ICH).
Students from Laos, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh wandered through the ICH booths representing 13 districts and counties of Leshan, as if stepping into treasure troves of culture. They were captivated by the colorful Jiajiang New Year paintings and marveled at the exquisite skills of the artisans. During the Sichuan Opera performance of "The Legend of the White Snake," they were deeply moved by the love story of White Snake and Xu Xian. The face-changing and fire-spitting skills amazed them so much that they clapped and exclaimed, "It's incredible!"
In addition to watching the performances, the international students actively participated in the ICH experiences. They kicked shuttlecocks, danced the bamboo pole dance, and their laughter and cheers echoed above the temple fair. Li Meilan, an international student from Thailand, said excitedly, "This is my first time experiencing traditional Chinese games. It's so much fun! I feel like I've already immersed myself in the Chinese Spring Festival atmosphere."
A relevant person in charge from Leshan Vocational and Technical College stated that organizing international students to experience Chinese ICH is an important part of the college's education on "Understanding China, Being Friendly to China, and Loving China." Through personal experiences, the international students can more intuitively feel the profoundness of Chinese culture, enhance their understanding and recognition of Chinese culture, and lay a solid public opinion foundation for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
This trip to the Leshan Grand Temple Fair not only opened a window for the international students to understand Chinese culture but also built a bridge for them to communicate and learn from Chinese students. It is believed that in the future, these international students will become friendly ambassadors in spreading Chinese culture and promoting people-to-people bonds, contributing their own strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
