PostTime：1/20/2023
In the afternoon of January 20, the Lion Dance (a traditional performance during the Lunar Chinese New Year, to celebrate the beginning of the spring) was performed accompanied by the rhythm of the beating of the drum, cymbals, and gong, marking the start of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) Spring Festival event.
As a number of foreign faculty and their family spending their Spring Festival in Shantou, GTIIT and Shantou Youth League Committee jointly organized the festive event, which brought together local elements such as lion dancing, tea art, calligraphy and Chaoshan cuisine to celebrate the Chinese New Year in an “international style” with students and teachers in Shantou.
The lion’s dance movements were synchronized with the instruments’ rhythm and level of loudness. The troupes danced across the north campus, and plucked the auspicious green lettuce hung on a pole in front of the canteen, symbolizing the best wishes to bring good luck and fortune to everyone, which won loud cheers from the audience.
Prof. David Gershoni, Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, gave an opening speech. “It is my second time to celebrate the Spring Festival in GTIIT Campus. In the past year, everyone of GTIIT has overcome difficulties and made achievements. This year is the year of rabbit. Wish all of us run and win success as fast as a rabbit!” he noted in the speech.
Prof. Lin Danming, Pro-Vice Chancellor of GTIIT, also delivered his sincere wish to all the faculty and students. “The Spring Festival is coming. Wish all of you a successful and happy new year!”
Mr. Wu Yiwen, member of the China Calligraphers Association and president of Shantou Young Calligraphers Association, introduced the art of calligraphy at the event. Faculty and students listened carefully to the key technique of writing Chinese New Year’s Couplet and wrote their best wishes to the coming year on the red paper. “It is my first time to celebrate Spring Festival. I am so excited to get close to Lion Dance and Chinese calligraphy,” said Prof. Paulo Tirao from GTIIT Mathematics with Computer Science Program, while showing the Chinese character “福” he just wrote with a brush pen.
Ms. Zhang Hong, the intangible cultural heritage of Shantou Gongfu Tea Art and president of Shantou Chaoshan Tea Research Institute, presented the Chaoshan Gongfu Tea Art performance. Drinking a pot of tea and enjoying its aroma, people looked forward to the arrival of the New Year.
Huang Guangyan, distinguished teacher of the Culinary Department of Shantou Technical College, presented the process of making special snacks for Chaoshan Spring Festival. GTers tasted fried Chinese radish balls and sweet fried vegetables, which were Chaoshan Traditional Cuisine carrying the wish for a sweet and happy new year.
When night falls, the third floor of GTIIT's canteen was still bright and warm. The students and teachers gathered together to enjoy the dinner, celebrating the coming Chinese New Year and feeling the warmth of home at the campus.
“I am happy to participate in such an event at GTIIT! The performance of Chaoshan lion dance and folk customs are surprising. By enjoying the performance with foreign teachers, people from different countries and regions get closer to each other,” said Zhang Boyan, a student from Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Program of the Class of 2026.
As a Sino-foreign university, GTIIT has held cultural activities on traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival for many years, which have built the bridge of friendship and intercultural communication.
Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs
