For a group of young visitors from around the world, discovering Chinese culture meant more than simply watching or listening—they got to put on traditional Hanfu, pick up a Chinese calligraphy brush and write their own "Fu" character.
Government representatives, organizers, young award winners and their parents from 13 countries are in HK from Aug. 23 to 27 for the award ceremony and a series of cultural exchange activities, including technology experiences, Chinese culture programmes and rule-of-law education.
On Aug. 25, as part of the programme, the young artists visited a local secondary school, where they dressed in traditional Hanfu and learned Chinese calligraphy under the guidance of a teacher, gaining a hands-on experience of Chinese culture through traditional clothing and writing.
For many of the participants, it was their first time wearing Hanfu.
Elene Tikaradze from Colombia enthusiastically showed off her outfit on camera, spinning around to display the flowing Hanfu. She said it was her first time wearing traditional Chinese clothing and that she particularly loved the colors and patterns. She even hoped to take the experience home with her and show her friends the outfit.
Uliana Goga from Belarus was also wearing Hanfu for the first time. She expressed her appreciation to the Shine Tak Foundation for providing the opportunity and organizing activities that allowed young people from different countries to experience another culture first-hand. She was also drawn to the patterns on the traditional clothing, hoping they would bring her good luck.
For Aïssatou Yandé DIOUF from Senegal, the most captivating part was the movement of the skirt. She particularly enjoyed twirling and watching the fabric spread out like a flower, turning the traditional garment into a lively and interactive cultural experience.
The young visitors also had the chance to try Chinese calligraphy. Under the guidance of a calligraphy teacher, they learned how to handle a traditional Chinese brush and practiced basic strokes, including horizontal and vertical lines as well as diagonal strokes, before writing the character "Fu" themselves.
They also learned that "Fu" represents blessings and good fortune in Chinese culture, and that the character is traditionally displayed during the Spring Festival as a way of welcoming blessings into the home.
(Reporter: Zoey SUN)
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