Group C | BLCU Cultural Activities 中国语言大学的文化活动

By Daniel Forde, Eve Cargill, Chloe Wells

From Koo Wee Rup Secondary College

While at Beijing Language and Culture University, the students in the VYLC Program have had the opportunity to engage in a number of cultural activities.

在北京语言大学，维州青年领导者项目的学生有机会参加了以下中国传统文化活动。

Students developed a greater understanding of Chinese culture through participating in a calligraphy and painting lesson. 

This lesson enabled students to learn how to write, in ink, some simple Chinese characters. Black ink, red and yellow paint, calligraphy brushes and rice paper were used to create a painting and to write basic characters like “rain” and “person”. 

The students painted a rooster, as 2017 is the year of the rooster. The rooster is the tenth animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs (中国十二生肖）. 

Calligraphy, literally ‘beautiful writing’ is important to the Chinese people because it is considered an art form. Calligraphy is a reflection of someone’s personality and a way for people to express themselves. It can be more valuable than paintings and sculpture in China.

The traditional Dragon and Lion dances required the VYLC students to work cooperatively and follow their leader.

The two dances also gave students the opportunity to step up and volunteer to lead other students and direct their movements. There was skill involved in bringing the dragon and lion’s  motionless bodies to life. 

The group had to work together to achieve the correct combination and timing of movements. Overall, the dragon and lion dance activity gave the students a chance to develop their teamwork and leadership skills.

In ancient China, people used the Dragon and Lion dances as a ritual for good luck, good harvests and rain. Now, in modern China, the dances are used in celebrations to symbolise good fortune and success. 

The dragon dance is used to express gratitude to the dragon who the Chinese people thank for the many years of good luck. The lion dance is important because it is used at the start of the New Year to ward off evil spirits. The evil spirits are scared by the lion’s mighty roar and the fire crackers that usually accompany the dance.

Jennifer Quah and Melanie Ooi

In the paper cutting lesson the students had to make the character for double happiness (双喜) by folding it and cutting the template. 

After they made the sign for double happiness they were encouraged to draw and cut out their own designs to make unique decorations. Many students enjoyed this activity because it was creative, fun and relaxing.

Paper cutting originally started on leaves because there was no paper in the third century B.C. By the second century A.D. paper had been invented and was able to be used for the art form. 

Paper cutting reflects the way that the Chinese people see nature, as well as representing Chinese philosophy. Paper cutting is used for religious and ceremonial purposes, and in the Chinese New Year(春节) paper cutting is used to decorate windows.