Greeting the global student body

Students from all over the globe participate in the opening ceremony of the International Culture Festival held at Renmin University of China on Sunday morning. Photo: Courtesy of Gao Zixia
Over 150 students representing 40 countries manned rows of exotically decorated booths to participate in the daylong 9th International Culture Festival held on Mingde Square of Remin University of China (RUC) on Sunday morning.

"Holding this festival raises students' global awareness and broadens their international view," said Xue Huanbai, vice president of RUC, at the opening ceremony of the event.

Started in 2000 and organized by the university's International Office and International Development Exchange Association (IDEA), the festival provides a fun opportunity for cultural exchange, promoting the crafts, foods and customs of different nations represented in the student body.

World of Chinacraft

Bringing it for the host country, Chinese students represented their culture with calligraphy, tea ceremony demonstrations, and the intricacies of Chinese knot tying.

"We would teach people how to tie knots for free. But for people just starting out, we could only teach the most basic knots," said Wang Yuanyuan, a sophomore at the School of Finance of RUC.

Returning Japanese

The neighboring Japanese stall also featured the prominence of tea in their culture with the art of sado (Japanese tea ceremony), selling healthy Matcha green tea for 2 yuan ($0.29) a cup.

Japanese student Morimo Shion, a journalism junior and festival participant for three years running, circled the square selling the vitamin-packed beverage.

"I hope to bring back some fond memories to the Japanese students here, while helping those from other countries know more about our culture," she said.

Mock the vote USA!

But how did the Americans demonstrate their culture? McDonalds? Hollywood?
Their idea was simple: in a booth behind a red, white and blue curtain, there was a poster of two fictitious politicians with their proposed agendas and a ballot box, simulating the election day experience.

"While other countries have their own distinct culture, America is a multi-cultural nation united by one government", explained Brian Timm- Brock, a postgrad student from the School of Law and manager of the American booth.

Just like during elections in the US, after casting their ballots, voters were given stickers that read, "I voted today."

Although preparations for the festival began during the summer holiday, Yang Yue, a journalism sophomore and officer of IDEA had only four hours sleep the night before.

"We had meetings in the campus café all night and continued to make changes till a couple of days before the festival," Yang said.

While watching the crowds enjoy themselves at the fair, Yang finally took a chance to relax.

"Through this planning experience, I strengthened my organization and coordinating skills, as well as learning how to burn the midnight oil," she said with a smile. "Hope there won't be too many last minute changes next year."

Source: Global Times