Recently, the 2024 GDUFS Chinese Gala concluded on a high note at the North Campus of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), bringing domestic and international students together to appreciate the beauty of the Chinese language and culture.

The gala commenced with a Han costume try-on event, where international students donned traditional Han costumes from different dynasties, transforming the venue into a gathering of "ancient literati". In addition, a card game based on Chinese characters had invited the attendees on site to enjoy the charm of the Chinese language.

International students wearing Han-costumes

Performances at the gala featured a wide range of Chinese cultural forms, including pop songs, poetry readings, traditional fan dances, and more.

One of the most memorable moments was the poetry reading of "Water Melody: When Will the Moon be Clear and Bright," a work by the Song dynasty poet Su Shi. Wearing Han costumes, international readers found a shared nostalgia and human connection in the text: "May we all be blessed with longevity. Though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together."

The event was also open to different cultures and international students outside of GDUFS. While students from Ji'nan University presented a traditional Thai dance, a student dancer from South China Normal University represented the ancient worship of astrology through her show "Divination."

Students from Ji'nan University performing Thai dance

A student from South China Normal University in dance show "Divination"

Zhang, a student from the Faculty of Chinese Language and Culture at GDUFS, said he was amazed by the talent and passion that international students showed in their performances. "Their interpretations of Chinese language and culture made me feel that the power of language can transcend national boundaries."

Chen Yueying, one of the performers and an international student from Vietnam, said she could feel the strength and softness combined in Chinese dance during practice. "I hope there will be more opportunities like this to immerse myself in Chinese language and culture," she added.