On September 9th , with autumn just around the corner, 27 students from three high schools in Sapporo paid a visit to the Confucius Institute at Sapporo University. They got involved in the China Festival, where the local students got an insight into the distinctive fascination of Chinese culture through various activities: Chinese lessons for beginners, appreciation of Chinese musical instruments, savoring Chinese cuisines, weaving Chinese knots and doing Chinese Qigong (A traditional Chinese therapeutic exercise which relies on breathing techniques to direct qi to different parts of the body).

Chinese lesson for beginners

In the Chinese lesson for beginners, the senior high school students practiced the Chinese pronunciation loudly under the guidance of teacher, subsequently having some simple dialogue exercises. When appreciating Chinese instruments, the Meihua Chorus and Onuma, a teacher from the Confucius Institute at Sapporo University, joined hands to give music performances to the students, introducing Chinese traditional folk music. During the time for savoring Chinese cuisines, the students imitated the chefs to make shredded cakes. Weaving the Chinese knots, they became focused and careful. And during the experience of Chinese Qigong guided by Abe Machi, a student from the Chinese martial arts class of the Confucius Institute, the students got an intimate insight into Chinese martial arts.

At the end of the activity, Dean YU Liuyi had an in–depth communication with the students, answering questions concerning Chinese learning and Chinese culture. Feeling delighted to be the participants of these interesting activities, the students expressed their hopes for more opportunities to learn more about China.

Students had a taste of the Chinese musical instruments

Students and the teachers weaved Chinese knots

Students practiced the Five Step Boxing