Ningbo, September 13, 2024 — The vibrant Chinese Culture Theme Week Exchange Program, co-organized by the Faculty of Foreign Languages of Ningbo University (NBU) and Jagiellonian University (UJ) in Poland, concluded with resounding success. With strong support from Ningbo

Urban Construction Investment Group and the Youth League Committee of the Ningbo Municipal Commission of Commerce, this program offered Polish students an immersive experience of the charm of traditional Chinese culture through a series of rich cultural exchanges and activities,

fostering deep understanding and friendship between Chinese and Polish students.

The event was initiated by the Faculty of Foreign Languages, co-organized by the Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, and

successfully held with the active support of the Ningbo University International Office. During the program, members of the “New Era, New

Thoughts” NBU Foreign Languages Communication Team and postgraduate students from NBU engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions with 13 students and their teacher from UJ. The two sides discussed topics spanning culture, education and arts in China and Poland, deepening

mutual understanding and friendship.

Weng Huaxing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Faculty of Foreign Language, remarked, “This activity gave Polish students a hands-on

experience of the profound and expansive Chinese culture, opening a window for them to understand and connect with China. Such exchanges

are invaluable in promoting understanding and friendship between the peoples of two nations."

Timeless Charm: Exploring the Mystery and Majesty of Chinese Culture

Throughout the week-long program, the Polish delegation attended including an insightful lecture by Prof. Xin Hongjuan from the Faculty of Foreign Languages on “Laozi and the Tao Te Ching: A Global Perspective. They also recited San Tzu Ching with Chinese students, immersing

themselves in the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Prof. Xin noted, “Tao Te Ching is not only a treasure of Chinese culture but also a shared spiritual wealth for all humanity. We're delighted to see

the strong interest Polish students have in this text, which underscores the growing global influence and appeal of traditional Chinese culture”.

To further immerse the Polish students in the essence of traditional Chinese culture, a series of visits were arranged. On September 9th, the

students embarked on an enriching excursion to Jinhui Town, nestled alongside the picturesque Moon Lake, where they had the opportunity to

explore Tu Youyou's former residence, a testament to the life of the Nobel winning Chinese scientist. Their journey also encompassed a visit to

Nantang Old Street, a charming thoroughfare steeped in history and cultural heritage.

During their visit, the students immersed themselves in traditional intangible cultural heritage activities, including the intricate art of lacquer

fan making and the savoring of authentic Ningbo delicacies, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for China's rich cultural traditions.

Moreover, they delved into the spirit of Chinese scientists, drawing inspiration from Tu Youyou's legacy, and engaged in meaningful face-to-face exchanges with young representatives from the local company, fostering cultural understanding and fostering new friendships.

On September 10, the delegation embarked on a journey to Yuyao, the birthplace of Wang Yangming. They toured the Hemudu Site Museum,

having an up-close look at the brilliant civilization of the Neolithic era and gaining insights into the long-standing history of the Chinese nation.

They then visited Wang Yangming's former residence, delving into the Philosophy of the Mind and its lasting influence. At Yangming Ancient Town, the students sampled authentic Ningbo cuisine and tried their hands at making Liangnong rice cakes, a form of intangible cultural heritage,

further enhancing their understanding of traditional Chinese folk culture.

Sailing Through the Arts: Captivated by the Elegance of Traditional Chinese Arts

During the week, the Polish students were immersed in the beauty of traditional Chinese arts. One of the highlights was a lecture on “The Art of

Traditional Chinese Painting” by Associate Prof. Bai Songxu from the Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design. With clear and

fluent English, Prof. Bai provided a clear and insightful explanation of the historical origins, artistic features, and techniques of traditional

Chinese painting, offering Polish students a deeper appreciation for its unique aesthetic. The students also visited the college’s art studios, where they viewed various traditional paintings up close and deepened their understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese art.

A series of hands-on activities were arranged to give the students a more comprehensive cultural experience. Associate Prof. Lin Yan from the

Faculty of Foreign Languages hosted courses on “Chinese Tea Culture and the Art of Flower Arrangement”. Lin introduced the history and tea

brewing technique and demonstrated the charm of Chinese flower arrangement. Students from both countries created beautiful flower bouquets

in a relaxed and enjoyable vibe, experiencing the grace and refinement of traditional Chinese culture.

Another memorable part of the culture week was “Chinese Classical Dance”. Zhou Bo, a postgraduate from NBU, dazzled the Polish students

with her skilled performance.

Dressed in traditional attire, Zhou’s movements gracefully embodied delicate balance of beauty and strength that defines classical Chinese dance, earning rounds of applause from the audience.

Prof. He Ying, vice dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, NBU remarked, “We emphasize the importance of leading Polish students to

experience the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetic life, thereby deepening their understanding of Eastern aesthetics. Such artistic exchange

not only enriched the cultural content of the program but also fostered emotional connections between the youths of both nations through shared

creativity and appreciation."

Green Innovation: Witnessing Exploration and Execution of Chinese-style Modernization

A special focus of this program was on the interaction and exchange between Chinese and Polish youth. Arranged by the Ningbo Urban

Construction Investment Group, the Polish students visited the Dongqiao Waste Incineration Power Plant, where they engaged with young

professionals from the company on the topic of green and low-carbon development. This provided the Polish students with valuable insights into China’s advanced environmental technologies and management practices, while offering a valuable opportunity for direct dialogue with their

Chinese counterparts.

Luo Lichao, Secretary of the Youth League Committee at Ningbo Urban Construction Investment Group, stated, “Ningbo Ecological

Environmental Protection Industry Group, an important first-level subsidiary of our company, has been playing a key role in promoting green and low-carbon development. It boasts the only urban solid waste comprehensive treatment plant and the only medical waste collection and transfer

qualification in the city, actively expanding projects in new energy fields such as rooftop photovoltaic power generation, wind and solar energy

storage and charging, and distributed energy. We hope that through this event, our Polish friends can gain a deeper understanding of China’s

efforts and progress in the environmental field, while fostering potential future collaboration in this field between our two nations.”

After visiting the Ningbo Dongqiao Waste Incineration Power Plant, the Polish students expressed high praise for China's environmental

protection technologies, noting that the technologies are not only efficient but also forward-looking in their environmental philosophy. One Polish student commented, “In Poland, we are also striving for environmental protection, but China's achievements in this area have shown us many

more possibilities. We hope to bring China's experiences back to Poland in the future and contribute to our environmental protection cause.”

With the coordination of the Ningbo Municipal Commission of Commerce, the delegation also visited the China-Central and Eastern European

Countries (CEEC) Products Pavilion in Ningbo, gaining a deeper understanding of trade relations and cultural exchanges between China and

Central and Eastern European countries.

Book Donation Ceremony: a Symbol of Lasting Friendships

As the program drew to a close, Mr. Qian Hongbin, researcher of the NBU Xue Mo Center for Chinese Literature Translation, on behalf of Mr.

Xue Mo, a noted Chinese writer, presented the Polish students with Selected Short Stories of Xue Mo. The gracious act not only deepened the

friendship between the students of the two nations but also brought the cultural exchange event to a satisfying conclusion.

Prof. Yang Huiling, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute in Kraków, Poland, noted, “This Chinese Culture Week Exchange Program not only showcased the richness and unique charm of Chinese culture but also provided a platform for the youth of China and Poland to learn from each other and grow together.”

Through these meticulously crafted cultural exchange programs and visitation initiatives, NBU and UJ have effectively established a conduit for

cultural exchange across cultural, educational, and additional sectors between the two nations.