China Daily, January 17th. On the evening of January 12th, the Chinese Embassy in the United States and the local organization "Embassy Experience Association" jointly held a cultural experience open day event, inviting more than 200 local people from all walks of life to experience traditional Chinese culture and watch cultural performances. Taste Chinese delicacies.
In his welcome speech, Charge d 'Affaires Xu Xueyuan said that traditional Chinese culture, nurtured by more than 5,000 years of civilization, is the spiritual sustains of China's 56 ethnic groups and over 1.4 billion people, and is the common "spiritual home" of Chinese people around the world. From Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism to literature, history and philosophy, from poetry and songs to Qin, chess, calligraphy and painting, whether it is opera, traditional Chinese medicine, tea ceremony, food, or a single song, firewood, rice, oil and salt, knowledge is everywhere. "The people are the foundation of the state", "the unity of nature and man", "harmony without diversity", these ideas and concepts have been used for over 5,000 years, and they still give us the strength to move forward.
Exchanges and mutual learning between different cultures can enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship. As an embassy, we are not only actively telling the American people about Chinese culture, but also deeply experiencing American social culture. In recent years, our diplomats have visited many cities and cities in the United States to experience historical traditions, famous mountains, great rivers and country music, and to deeply appreciate the innovative spirit and hard-working wisdom of the American people.
Charge d 'Affaires Xu Xueyuan said that in the past three years, the epidemic has affected our face-to-face exchanges and personnel exchanges between China and the United States, but my colleagues and I have been committed to strengthening communication and exchanges between the two peoples through various means. The epidemic prevention and control situation in China is predictable and controllable. In response to new developments in the epidemic, China has released relevant information in a timely, open and transparent manner, and constantly optimized and adjusted its prevention and control measures. Since January 8, we have significantly simplified entry measures for Chinese nationals. Since ancient times, China has advocated "reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles". Confucius said it was a pleasure to have friends come from afar. You are welcome to visit China and experience Chinese culture in depth. There you will see an ancient civilization with a long history and a China full of vitality in the new era.
At the event, teachers from the Maryland Institute of Chinese Language Education performed a classical folk dance. The graceful, whirling dances and touching patriotic sentiments enthrall the guests. The young artists, led by the teachers of the Washington Chinese National Orchestra, introduced to the guests ethnic instruments such as zither, pipa, flute, Xun, fenugreek and erhu. They played classic songs such as "High Mountain and Flowing Water", "Flower Party" and "Good Night". They also performed "Jubilant", English folk songs "Oh, Suzanne" and "Auld Lang Syne", which won long applause from the audience.
After the performance, guests gathered around the tea art booth to learn about Chinese tea culture and taste white tea, black tea and raw and ripe Pu 'er tea from Yunnan. In front of the calligraphy and painting exhibition, the guests experienced the "four treasures of the Study" of China. They drew cute pandas and rabbits in ink, learned to write their Chinese names and auspicious wishes for the Spring Festival with brush, and expressed their good wishes for the New Year.
"It's a good night," Dale, a Washington resident who came to the event, happily told China Daily, holding a piece of red paper with a Chinese translation of his name, Dai, written in Chinese calligraphy. Sarah, a Grade 10 student in red cheongsam, said excitedly that she had studied Chinese for 10 years and knew a lot about Chinese culture and food. She had also traveled to China. This activity reminded her of the wonderful time in China.
Last year, they won the first prize in the "Embassy Chef Challenge" in Washington, D.C., and made their debut on the food table. The guests also enjoyed Beijing roast duck, spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, quicksand buns and Chinese liquor. Dmitrii Gudin, who was about to tuck into a plate of food, told China Daily that he had many Chinese friends and colleagues who often took him to Chinese restaurants, which he enjoyed very much. Tonight, he ate delicious Chinese food and enjoyed beautiful Chinese art. He hopes to visit China sometime in the future.
Gregory Bland, one of the organizers, praised the event with the Chinese Embassy in the US as "first-class" in an interview with China Daily. He was very happy to see the excitement and smiles of people from all walks of life, the earnest appreciation of dance and music, and to help people in Washington "open their eyes". He also said that regardless of politics, regardless of "differences," communication between people is the most important.
"Only through these dialogues, through these exchanges, can the Chinese and American people understand each other better," Brand told reporters. We have disagreements sometimes, but they're not that big. Through the communication between people, to deepen the understanding of culture, background, you will find that we are not far away. If we can be friends, we can be friendlier even if we disagree -- which I think is especially important."
Led by diplomats from the Embassy, the guests also visited the public areas of the embassy and the photo exhibition "China's Extraordinary Decade in the New Era" in two groups with great interest. The event ended in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with guests taking photos and speaking highly of the evening's activities.
(By Xu Yifan, Washington correspondent, China Daily America Bureau)
Source: China Daily.
|
