To deepen international students' understanding of China's traditional culture and foster mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations, International College successfully held the "The Grace of Silk, the Beauty of Porcelain, and the Legacy of Craftsmanship" event on May 21 at Haitianyuan, Chang'an Campus, as part of its “China Through Intangible Cultural Heritage” series event.
More than 80 international students from 13 countries, including Russia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Liberia, and Morocco, participated in the event. Through immersive cultural experiences, they explored the millennia-old cultural legacy of the Silk Road embodied in silk and porcelain, and experienced the charm and ingenuity of traditional intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship.
Porcelain on the Silk Road: Tracing the Cultural Legacy
At the beginning of the event, a cultural lecturer delivered a special lecture titled "Azure Porcelain Elegance, The Splendor of the Silk Road," taking the students on a fascinating journey into traditional Chinese culture. The lecture began with an in-depth exploration of the profound connection between the word "China" and Chinese porcelain, elaborating on the unique artistic features and aesthetic value of porcelain. Meanwhile, the lecture traced the spread of silk and porcelain along both the Land and Maritime Silk Roads, interpreting their significance in trade and cultural exchange between China and other civilizations. It vividly illustrated the enduring spirit of Chinese craftsmanship, enabling international students to gain a comprehensive and multi-dimensional understanding of the historical depth and contemporary value of classic intangible cultural heritage culture.
Hands-on Experiences: Discovering the Spirit of Craftsmanship
The hands-on activities were widely popular among the participants. Two intangible cultural heritage experience projects were set up on site—porcelain restoration and water marbling silk scarf making—allowing international students to work with their own hands and experience the unique charm of traditional crafts up close.
During the porcelain restoration activity, students used blue-and-white porcelain fragments and clay to give full play to their imagination and creativity. They combined traditional ceramic artistry with modern creative elements, gaining a deep appreciation for the delicate elegance of ancient porcelain craftsmanship.
The water marbling silk scarf making area was equally vibrant. International students carefully learned the crafting techniques, meticulously mixing colors, creating patterns, transferring the designs onto silk, and peeling off the finished scarves. One by one, colorful silk scarves with unique patterns took shape, each embodying the ingenuity and creativity of the students. Throughout the process, participants actively exchanged ideas, discussed techniques, and shared their creative insights.
Fun Q&A: Enjoying New Knowledge
At the end of the event, a lively and engaging intangible cultural heritage knowledge quiz kicked off to great enthusiasm. The atmosphere was warm and energetic, as international students actively pondered the questions, eagerly rushed to answer, and voluntarily shared what they had learned from the experience.
As part of the NPU's (Northwestern Polytechnical University) series of extracurricular cultural activities for international students under the China's National Conditions Education program, this event featured silk and porcelain—two iconic symbols of Chinese intangible cultural heritage—as its core elements. It seamlessly integrated knowledge-based lectures, interactive fun, and hands-on experiences, allowing international students to gain an intuitive understanding of traditional Chinese crafts and Silk Road culture. International College will continue to advance its cultural education efforts, helping international students get to know China and truly understand the country, while consistently promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations.
(Copywriter: Li Jing, Li Dan; Photos & Video : Dong Tian, Xu Wenxi; Editer: Wang Xinyue;First Reviewer: Li Xuehong; Second Reviewer: Li Dan; Final Reviewer: Li Ziwei; Translators:Li Yiwen, Mei Leyun)
