Chinese military academies in two cities have organized colorful festivities for international cadets to experience traditional Chinese art and culture during the Spring Festival and enjoy the holiday.
At the Navy Command College in east China's Nanjing, foreign cadets from various countries gathered to explore the art of Chinese calligraphy and spring couplets -- traditional decorative poems pasted on doorways to usher in good fortune for the Chinese New Year.
The event featured an immersive cultural atmosphere, with the room filled with the scent of ink as Chinese cadets provided hands-on instruction. They explained the historical origins and symbolic meanings of spring couplets, then demonstrated proper brush techniques - from grip control to stroke execution.
"Through these interactions and exchanges, our in-depth communication with Chinese staff has greatly enriched the cultural experience, for which we express our sincere gratitude," said Mohamed, a cadet from Morocco.
At the Army Command College in Nanjing, international cadets participated in a "Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop" that featured time-honored folk arts such as red paper-cutting and Chinese painting, giving them the opportunity to create their own artwork.
"This demonstrates friendship, cooperation, and international team spirit. The paintings and Chinese [calligraphy], they all reveal astonishing creativity and profound aesthetic depth," remarked Gonzalez, a cadet from Venezuela.
At the Naval University of Engineering in central China's Wuhan, Chinese and international cadets came together for traditional Chinese games such as ring toss and pitch-pot. Cadets and their families were also invited to gather together and make dumplings -- an essential food for the Spring Festival in many parts of the country.
Chinese military academies host cultural celebrations for international cadets during Spring Festival
