Peking University, one of the most prestigious ancient
universities in China, held its annual on-campus international art
festival a few days ago. Though only in its third year, the
festival has become an influential cultural activity at the
university. The multicultural flavor of Peking University was
highlighted during this year's festival. Our reporter checked out
the exciting events at the festival.
Besides the usual carnival activities, such as celebration
performances given by international students, each featuring their
own national cultures, and a grand evening gala party that gathered
some of the best of art troupes in China, a couple of new programs
were also added to this year's festival lineup.
An Ambassadors' Forum was carried out for the first time during
the festival, which featured dialogues between the students and
some 30 or so foreign ambassadors and councilors in Beijing.
Opening with the question "What qualities should international
students possess?", the dialogue soon moved on to more serious
topics, such as globalization resulting in a "brain drain" in less
developed countries, the necessity of promoting the national
language in an English-language dominated world in order to
preserve China's cultural distinction, and the internationalization
the university.
Drawing on experience from their respective countries, the
ambassadors' answers to the students' questions sometimes showed
sharp disagreement.
Student: I'm from Yuanpei program. We've been talking the need
of open mind. But I think some students are too eager to embrace
the foreign world. It's like too foreign oriented. Sometimes we
forget our own cultural route and forget our cultural identity. I
think this is a serious problem. See, I think students preferring
Starbucks to Chinese tea. This is an example. I'd like to hear
ambassadors'opinion on how to maintain a balanced mentality in this
global world.
Minister councilor from Argentine Embassy: Sorry. I'm not an
ambassador. But I have a few year older than you. I would answer
your question from the Greek philosophy. It's said during the life,
we face different stages, which are thesis, antithesis, and
synthesis, meaning that in thesis, you are very in for something,
you are in one extreme, then in synthesis you are denying
everything in the past stage, and then I hope not in the end of
your life, you will reach synthesis, an equilibrium, the harmony.
As a student you are in one stage, which is normal. You're learning
another culture another language and eager to be part of it.
There's nothing wrong. You were born a Chinese. No matter what
other language you speak you're a Chinese. So don't worry. It's
just a stage of the life."
Irish Ambassador: I think it worth reflecting on the fact that
even as globalization develops. Globalization makes countries more
confident. When countries are more confident, they are more active
in the cultural sense. Let me refer to my own country, a country
which is much involved in globalization. In the past ten years, our
culture become much more vibrant than ever before and you now have
the exporting of Irish culture, like River dance, a traditional
Irish dancing, Irish singer Enya whom I think is quite popular in
China, which is also based on traditional culture. That wouldn't be
possible 15 years ago before we are internationally minded. So I
think confidence and the development of international culture do
not weaken culture. It strengthens culture because it makes people
more confident in expressing and exporting their own culture. But
finally you said you don't like students drinking Starbucks than
the Chinese tea. Let me say Irish students tend to drink a beer
called Cogenis. From my part I would much prefer that Irish
students drink Chinese tea. More Chinese tea and less Irish
beer."
Japan: "I'm a little different from the view of western
observers. And it seem to me Chinese people are looking for
national identity. We observe that Guoxue reviving in some
universities, such as Renmin University. I think this is one
symptom. After you successfully conducting opening up and reform
policy, you achieved economic prosperity and you're looking for
some Chinese spirit. I think this is very important. The world is
watching carefully what kind of cultural idea Chinese young people
will have and what they will behave in world society. I encourage
you to continue to search for your national identity.."
Why are the ambassadors and councilors are so interested in this
particular event? The Ambassador of Moldova in China, Iacov Timciuc
/'jakov 'dimsjuk/ answered:
"The youth is the future for every country. For our country,
this is the same. So we are here because we want to know what the
students are doing, what problems do they have, what they need and
some other thing. The Moldovan government and our embassy are also
concerned about the future of our students and come here to see
what is interesting to see here and what can we help."
The Minister councilor from Nigeria, Austin Baby Chukwurah,
says.
"Because we participated last year and it was a success. Beida
is opening the campus to making friends. China is now opening up.
Now it's important for all the people to know China. This is time
for China, the best hour for china. People are interested and
people are willing to participated into this kind of show."
The international cultural exhibition called 'Around the Global
Village' was also an important part of the festival. Students from
65 countries and regions dressed up in their national costumes, and
displayed items that best symbolize their countries on their
respective counters. They were the busiest at the festival, giving
out brochures, answering questions and posing for pictures at the
request of visitors.
"My name is Maxim, from Milano. I'm studying here, learning the
language. This week is the week of Italy in the world and this year
is the year of cuisine. So we bring here some aspects of Italy like
pasta, the olyo, some wine, martini and also the harbor, the
beautiful place for tourism, and design, also famous parts of
Italy, and culture. We won the World Cup and so we want to
underline these aspects so we put some T shirt and some posture of
Italian team."
What does this festival mean to Maxim?
"It's important because we want to (let) china know what we are.
China has a great history. It's important to know each other. Maybe
China doesn't know Western culture just like we don't know the
Chinese culture. So it's important to have an exchange. Because now
with the globalization, everybody should know each other."
Amongst the dozens of photographs that portrayed the distinctive
British identity at the Great Britain counter, one photo was
particularly interesting. It was a kitchen window where several
Peking roast ducks were displayed. Louis explained his purpose for
putting the photo there.
"Over here we are in China, we want to show the great
connections between England and China. England and china have a
long history together, since the handover of Hong Kong. We want to
tell Chinese people if they come over to England, what they can
expect and what they can see. Chinese food is very popular in the
UK. We want to display what English people like to eat. They like
Chinese food. So we put up some pictures about Chinese
restaurants."
At the Swedish stand, student Eskil Hallstrom was giving a
Chinese student a quiz before he printed a stamp on the student's
ticket.
"I'm giving out stamps for Sweden in this international cultural
festival. But I'm not giving them to everyone. They have to answer
some questions first and then I give them. If you get a stamp from
every country, maybe you can win a prize."
What is the capital of Sweden?
--Stockholm.
And how many habitants? What is the population of Sweden? --Nine
million.
The Chinese counter was turned into a live stage, with two
student members performing famous traditional melodies on the Pipa
and the Xiao. Another girl dressed in a traditional costume with
wide sleeves answered visitor's questions.
Besides these activities, there was also a world cuisine
sampling party, and an overseas student singing contest, both new
introduction to the festival. As a result, large crowds of people,
primarily students, were drawn to the campus.
"We enjoy it very much. Every year there's something different.
It helps overseas students to showcase their own distinctive
national culture. We also learn something about other cultures. It
is also a chance for exchanges."
"My name is Eva, from Albania. It's very nice and give us the
chance to show and let our country know by the Chinese. Really I
appreciate this."
Xu Jie, a Student representative for the festival, described her
enthusiasm for the event.
"Beijing University is an influential university. This festival
is completely organized by the students themselves. With this
festival, we wish to let the world see the creativity, enthusiasm,
vitality and team spirit of Peking University students. We hope
everybody can enjoy it."
Good food, good music, indigenous cultures from around the
globe, some little presents and a lot of fun, are what made up this
year's campus carnival. How could anyone not enjoy them? When I
waved goodbye to the pair of stone lions standing at each side of
Peking University entrance, even I was reluctant to walk away from
the festive scene.
(CRI.com November 29, 2006)