Diplomats from 20 countries immersed themselves in Shanghai folklore and deepened their understanding of Chinese society and culture

Zhongxin Wanghai, May 5 (Reporter Chen Jing) Spring is approaching and summer is coming. The reporter learned on the 14th that diplomats from the consulates of Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Egypt and other countries gathered on the banks of the Riva River to immerse themselves in the folk customs and culture of Shanghai from the aspects of clothing, food, elegance and entertainment in the "Shanghai Summer School-The 14th Consulate Diplomat Program in Shanghai".

Diplomats experience making Lixia cakes. Photo courtesy of East China Normal University

Over the past decade, nearly 500 consulate diplomats from more than 60 countries have participated in the program. This year, more than 20 diplomats from 30 countries walked into East China Normal University, where they experienced the charm of Chinese culture, improved their Chinese communication skills, and deepened their understanding of Chinese society and culture.

The national intangible cultural heritage Shanghai Xinchang gong and drum book kicked off the "Shanghai Summer School - The 12th Consulate Diplomat Program in Shanghai". Inheritor Gu Meijia and primary school students brought a wonderful new gong and drum book performance, "Old Linge! The diplomats praised the children's performances in the Shanghainese they had just learned.

Diplomats experience being a fan. Photo courtesy of East China Normal University

Diplomats experience Jiading bamboo carving. Photo courtesy of East China Normal University

East China Normal University said that this year's event focuses on "summer", focusing on excavating and displaying summer folklore and culture in Shanghai's local culture, and collecting intangible cultural heritage items that reflect people's production and life in Shanghai's regional traditional culture. Lixia cakes, Jiading bamboo carvings, tuan fans, Shanghainese nursery rhymes......... Diplomats revel in traditional Chinese folk culture. They walked through different themed experience areas, or made and tasted the characteristic Lixia cakes with their own hands; Or follow Wang Zhen, the inheritor of Jiading bamboo carvings of national intangible cultural heritage, to make Jiading bamboo carvings with Fu characters and rabbit patterns; Some diplomats enthusiastically changed into cheongsam and long robes and staged a costume show full of Shanghai charm.

Shanghai fashion show for diplomats. Photo courtesy of East China Normal University

It is reported that the diplomat program of the consulate in Shanghai has been striving to become a bright business card for building a bridge of friendship between China and foreign countries, and has been widely known and influential in the consulates of various countries in Shanghai. This year's project continues to optimize and innovate, providing teaching content that is closer to the needs of diplomats' work, and carrying out more activities with Shanghai's regional cultural characteristics. (End)