Culture week continues with Asia day. And while there are lots of activities organized by the foreign faculty during the day, the great highlight, of course, always is the show that’s put on every night during culture week. For Asia Night, a lot of the foreign students performed, making the job for the foreign faculty an easy one.
It’s almost November. And that usually means the annual Culture Week is upon us. And since we’re talking about the usual already, our school’s international culture week usually starts with China day. This year is no exception. So, for China day, local trades people gather in the main square on campus to offer their goods and services, which include anything from selling cotton candy to cutting silhouettes and painting portraits. Even glass sculpturing and musical performances were part of this year’s China day. And of course, I had to go and record it all!
I’m a happy girl. Because for once, I made it through April’s Fools day without being on the fooled side of things! Yes, Fool’s Day is practiced in China, which I come to realize anew every year. But while there certainly was potential to get fooled yesterday, this year I was prepared. For anything. So, when one of my dear friends sent me an urgent text message yesterday, saying that so and so was trying to tell me that such and so was trying to get a hold of me, because he needed to discuss something important with me, had tried to call me, and hadn’t been able to get through, I was on my guard. It could’ve been true, but the message just as well sounded like a hoax. So, I carried my cell phone to class with me to have my students vote on whether it was a trick or not, and they all voted with one voice, which saved me some later embarrassment and gave us something to be amused about. And …
Here are a couple more pics of Europe Day when I was having quite some fun with some students.
We’ve done it! Finished another culture week. And today was the grand finale, celebrating songs and dances from various cultural backgrounds. Being me, of course, I’m gonna allow you a peek of some of the eye candy we got to have. Here are some pics … And here’s a short clip to give you an even better idea of some of the performances … Saying Thanks … Lastly, I want to say thanks for living in such a culturally diverse environment, which really helps me to look at life from a different perspective.
Of course, next to China Day, North America Day is probably the most popular day of culture week. No wonder – Most foreign teachers don’t need to teach on Fridays, which means they have plenty of time for games and fun activities. It’s about America, and of course it’s a pride thing to make sure America is well represented. Right after lunch, I made my tour of the square and I was quite entertained by what I saw … My Canadian friends organized a street hockey game. And probably the most interesting part of all was when the students saw the hockey sticks and asked us what they were for! So, I learned today that the average Chinese person doesn’t have a clue what hockey is! Of course, once they started playing, the students figured things pretty quickly. Lady Gaga & Lady Liberty posing back to back, and the students (though clueless as to who those figures were) loved to pose with them for a photo opportunity. Saying Thanks … Finally, I don’t want to …
Finally, Europe Day has arrived! This means playing on home turf for me. Except that it’s basically looking at Europe from an American perspective since as the only European around, I’m just a tiny minority! So, I’m never really sure whether I should be amused or annoyed at all the medieval artifacts my American colleagues dig up to represent Europe. It’s not quite what Europe is like, and it’s certainly not the way the Chinese perceive Europe, in whose eyes the European continent is highly developed, modern and sophisticated. But I’ve given up hope trying to convince my American colleagues to point out some of Europe’s modern accomplishments (such as soccer, European cars, developments in renewable energies/environmental protection, tourism, etc. to mention just a few). And so I’m puttering around between medieval castles, Viking ships, and the guillotine, thinking to myself: “I’m sure I’ve ran into one of those Vikings in Europe before … just can’t quite remember where exactly … but certainly, they must be out there somewhere …!” Anyways, I still had fun …
The fest of cultures is continuing. Today it’s all about Africa & Latin America. Again, I made my trip to the square for a little peek of what was going on, and of course, I’ll let you take a peek with me …
I was having fun at culture week again, today. This time, I took some of my students to the main square, and I had a blast just watching them. Seeing their faces light with excitement at all the things they could try or play – it was almost like Christmas! We took lots of pictures, tried some Indian tea (chai tea), and some snacks from Bangladesh. They were eager to fill their (fake) passports with (fake) stamps from various countries, and took part in making origami frogs that they’d have to race afterwards. And I? I got to be the celebrated celebrity once more (whether I like it or not). Just being out there, surrounded by my group of students, made other students assume that I was part of the fairground attractions – ergo: a constant flow of requests to pose for pictures with them. So, my pointer for you today: If you ever want to feel like a celebrity, just come to China, and you can be sure to get lots of attention, I …
The biggest event of the year is here: Culture Week. Every year, for a whole week, our school celebrates the different cultures of the world, and as usual, China makes the start. So, right after lunch I went to check out the square, and look at all the things I found … I have to admit, it still fascinates me to watch Chinese university students get all excited about buying stuff no one really needs, or eating cotton candy, or blowing bubbles, but hey, there’s a child in every one of us, right? By the way, wanna take a look at some real action? Watch this guy: He only needs a couple of seconds for each painting. I guess that’s the way to make money – after all, his paintings sell like hotcakes!
