During a recent Spring Festival-themed celebration, nine expats in Shanghai experienced the festive spirit and traditional charm of the Chinese New Year together with local residents in a community in Jiading district, Shanghai.
The event united the community residents from diverse cultural backgrounds in a joyous celebration that fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese customs.
An American who dons a red scarf showcases his Chinese calligraphy work. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
Under the guidance of Chinese calligraphy teacher Zhu Chunhua, they learned to write the Chinese character "福" (meaning "fortune") with brushes. "Chinese calligraphy is a bit challenging, but I am very willing to learn," said an American resident.
The Chinese and foreign residents also learned to make Chinese purple rice pudding (eight-treasure rice pudding).
The event also featured a storytelling segment that taught participants about the cultural significance of the Spring Festival.
The foreign guests were then gifted with symbolic porcelain souvenirs.
"This event has allowed us international students to understand traditional Chinese culture, and we hope to have more opportunities to participate in such events in the future," said a student from Indonesia studying in Shanghai.
Chinese and foreign residents in Shanghai experience local Chinese New Year customs together. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]