As the year turns, a new chapter unfolds. To welcome the arrival of 2026, the International College organized a series of vibrant cultural activities, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere to usher in the New Year.
At the international apartments, warm greetings of “Happy New Year” became the first heart-warming decorations to catch everyone’s eye on this chilly winter day. They also conveyed the sincere New Year wishes of all faculty and students of the International College to every member of NPU.
On the afternoon of December 31, Chinese language teachers and more than 140 international students from around the world gathered at the Chinese Language Center on the Youyi Campus. Surrounded by a rich cultural atmosphere, they came together to welcome the arrival of 2026.
Listening — Cultural Codes Embedded in Festive Traditions
The event officially began with a lecture The culture of New Year’s Day and the Spring Festival. Through vivid explanations and richly illustrated presentations, teachers introduced international students to the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese New Year. From traditional customs associated with New Year’s Day and the Spring Festival to their intergenerational cultural transmission, from the symbolism of reunion embodied in the New Year’s Eve dinner to the auspicious meanings of Spring Festival couplets and paper cuttings, students were gradually guided to decode the cultural symbols embedded in Chinese festivals, gaining a deeper understanding of the Chinese people’s emphasis on family, reunion, and hope for the future.
Reciting — New Year Aspirations in Classical Poetry
“As firecrackers thunder, the old year passes; the gentle spring breeze ushers in the New Year, and people celebrate together over cups of freshly brewed Tusu wine.” During the classical poetry recitation session, students, guided by their teachers, carefully recited ancient poems related to the New Year, word by word and line by line. They then wrote poetic lines and personal New Year goals on wish cards. Each stroke reflected not only their growing closeness to Chinese culture but also their sincere expectations for the year ahead.
Creating — Spring Festival Memories at One’s Fingertips
Laughter and joy filled the Spring Festival cultural experience session. International students made New Year ornaments by hand and cut red “Fu” character door decorations. With red paper, golden patterns, and nimble hands at work, festive handicrafts gradually took shape. Holding up their creations, many students exclaimed excitedly, “I’m going to hang this in my dormitory so that good luck stays with me all year long!”
Celebrating — Cultural Exchange through Shared Joy
Students from different countries prepared signature dishes from their home cultures, sharing stories behind the food while taking part in cultural games. Questions such as “What are the traditional foods of the Chinese Spring Festival?” and “What is the order of the twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs?” sparked enthusiastic competition. Through knowledge challenges, students gained both learning and friendship, and through engaging interactions, they deepened their understanding of Chinese culture.
Red paper spread out, brush and ink full of emotion; amid the echoes of poetry, new visions took shape.
On the Chang’an Campus, the International College organized a group of international students to actively participate in the university’s New Year celebration series. From the warm and lively dumpling-making activities to the Sino-Western cultural performance gala, international students joined faculty and students from across the university to enjoy a New Year’s Eve filled with the distinctive charm of the Chinese New Year.
That evening, the university held a grand New Year dumpling-making event. Li Yanrong, Chairman of Board of Trustees of NPU, Lü Weidong, Vice Chairman of Board of Trustees, and Vice President Yue Xiaokui attended the event and welcomed the New Year together with international students. Frequent interactions between teachers and students created a warm and lively atmosphere. Many international students, dressed in festive red outfits, enthusiastically experienced the processes of filling and folding dumplings with the help of teachers and classmates. Although their techniques were still a bit unpolished, through collective effort, dumplings of various shapes—symbolizing reunion and good fortune—gradually took form. University leaders mingled with international students, kindly inquiring about their studies and daily life and extending New Year greetings. Teachers and students sat together, enjoying a scene filled with harmony and festive cheer.
At the subsequent New Year gala, the performances by international students became one of the highlights of the evening. The independently performed song and dance Can’t Stop the Feeling was lively and energetic, showcasing the passion and vitality of international students. Meanwhile, the program Traditional Fashion Is Something jointly performed by international students and the University Art Troupe, skillfully blended traditional Chinese opera with modern artistic forms. The seamless cooperation between Chinese and international students on stage not only delivered a spectacular audiovisual experience but also vividly illustrated the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and mutual learning embedded in campus culture.
At the Kazakhstan Branch campus in Almaty, faculty and students gathered to happily learn the art of making Chinese dumplings. The enticing aromas and warm conversations sparked students’ longing for life and study in China.
From folk-culture experiences in the afternoon to joyful evening celebrations, and from Almaty to Xi’an, international students immersed themselves in a wide range of activities that allowed them to personally experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese festivals. As they bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new, their sense of belonging to the university and their identification with Chinese culture were further strengthened.
At this moment of renewal, let us sincerely wish all international students of NPU a New Year filled with starlight in their eyes, dawn beneath their feet, and Chinese stories in their hearts, as they step onto a broader world stage.
Happy New Year to all! May everything be full of promise in the year ahead!
（Source: International College
Photos & Text: Li Dan, Li Jing, Zhang Qingqing, Zhang Xi, Wei Xingchen, Li Xiangning；
Editor: Li Fucai；
Reviewed by: Li Ziwei;
Translators: Yang Runze, Li Yiwen）
