From September 22 to 25, 2025, the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of Beijing Normal University organized a delegation of our international students to participate in the “2025 Confucius Culture Week for Chinese and International Students” held in Jining, Shandong. Through a variety of cultural experiences, traditional rituals, sports competitions, and interactive activities combining modern technology, our international students gained a deeper appreciation of the charm of Chinese culture, enhanced friendships between Chinese and international students, and showcased the spirit of BNU students.

Uniting Students and Building Friendship Across Cultures — Traditional Cultural Team-Building Activities

On the morning of September 22, students gathered from across the country at the gymnasium of Shandong Polytechnic College for a team-building activity themed “Uniting Teachers and Students, Building Friendship Between China and the World.” The event featured five traditional challenges—pitch-pot, land dragon boat racing, cuju goal-shooting, long-rope skipping, and cooperative drum beating. Divided into six teams, students took turns competing in each challenge. The activity combined Confucian culture and the spirit of ritual and music, highlighting teamwork and cultural experience through competition.

In the afternoon, students joined a pickleball experience activity under the theme “Making Friends Through Sports, Building Friendship Together.” They learned about the sport’s origins, practiced skills such as serving, returning, dinking, and volleying, and showcased their abilities in friendly matches. Through point-based evaluation and interactive drills, students not only improved their skills but also enjoyed the fun of blending sports with culture.

Traditional Chinese Culinary Experience — “Food as Medicine, Youth Discussing Health”

On the evening of September 23, students took part in a traditional Chinese food culture experience themed “Medicine and Food Share the Same Origin: Chinese and International Students Discuss Health”. The event was divided into three sections: hands-on cooking, live demonstrations, and interactive games. Students personally made five-colored glutinous rice balls, seasonal pastries, and mooncakes, gaining a direct understanding of traditional Chinese medicine’s wellness concepts and the philosophy of the Five Elements. They also watched demonstrations by national intangible cultural heritage inheritors on preparing traditional medicinal pastes and herbal teas. Through interactive games, students reinforced their knowledge of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms and dietary wellness culture. International students remarked that by “making, watching, playing, and learning,” they were able to deeply appreciate the wisdom and charm of Chinese culinary culture.

Honoring the Master — Confucian Cultural Study Tour

On September 24, students joined the Culture Week delegation on a study tour of Confucian heritage sites, including the Confucius Temple, the Kong Family Mansion, and Nishan Sacred Land in Qufu. At the Confucius Temple, they took part in a traditional ceremony honoring teachers, experiencing the spirit of respect for teachers and the value of education. At the Kong Family Mansion, they visited the nine successive courtyards, the Chongguang Gate, and the rear garden’s “Five Cypresses Embracing a Pagoda Tree,” gaining insights into family governance and the Confucian philosophy of life.

In the afternoon, at Nishan Sacred Land, students toured the Grand Learning Hall and five themed halls, and experienced hand-copying The Analects, engaging in a dialogue with the classics across time. This study activity allowed international students to truly appreciate the depth and richness of Chinese civilization and to grasp the essence of Confucius’ idea of “harmony without uniformity.”

Grassland Concert — Harmony in Diversity, Music Connecting Hearts

On the evening of September 24, the Culture Week Grassland Concert was held at the athletics field of Shandong Polytechnic College. Two international students from Beijing Normal University performed “Summer Breeze,” joining Chinese and international students from various universities in presenting a vibrant intercultural youth gala. Under the theme “Harmony in Diversity, Resonance Through Music and Virtue,” the concert featured singing, dancing, poetry recitations, and traditional folk performances. It fostered communication and cultural integration among Chinese and international students, with frequent interaction and a lively, spirited atmosphere.

Intangible Cultural Heritage and Modern Skills Experience

On the morning of September 25, students took part in intangible cultural heritage and modern skills education activities. The program was organized into three sections—“Ingenuity in Craftsmanship,” “Refinement through Elegant Arts,” and “Digital Intangible Heritage.” Students engaged closely with traditional Chinese arts such as dough modeling, silversmithing, Chinese painting, shadow puppetry, Han costume, Peking Opera, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and seal carving.

A Successful Closing — Cultural Exchange and a Symphony of Youth

On the afternoon of September 25, the closing ceremony of the Culture Week was held in Jining, bringing together 134 young students from 49 countries. The ceremony reviewed the highlights of the four-day program, honored outstanding teams and individuals, and featured guest speeches recognizing the active participation of youth in cultural study, sports competitions, and artistic performances. By joining the closing ceremony and sharing their experiences, international students from BNU gained lasting friendships and valuable cultural insights. They expressed their commitment to bringing what they had seen and learned during Confucius Culture Week back to campus to share with more peers—extending the understanding of China and its culture from the classroom into real-life practice, and embodying the spirit of mutual learning among civilizations through their youth and actions.