Art carnival in Chengdu builds cultural bridge for residents

Shenghua Community in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone holds an art carnival at Tiexiangsi Water Street in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, on Nov 18. [Photo provided to China Daily]

An art carnival was recently held at Tiexiangsi Water Street in Chengdu, building a cultural bridge for Chinese and foreign residents in the area.

Sponsored by Shenghua Community in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, the carnival attracted about 2,000 people, including more than 20 foreign residents from the United States, Britain, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Venezuela and other countries.

"By offering an engaging art experience, we hope to popularize art with the idea of exploring "children's dreams", and to have each participant feel relaxed and comfortable as they participate," said the organizer.

Instead of a dull academic exhibition, the event made the participants engage in cool cultural and artistic activities: Raindrop Dream, which is to place ink drops on the canopy of an umbrella and spray water over them; Drama Workshop, which is to transform oneself with simple stuffing materials, and display the costume by joining in a parade; and Red Den, which is to decorate a card and write a secret message in invisible ink, and then attach it in the Red Den to be discovered by other visitors.

Rachel Zarranz, principal of Soong Ching Ling International Kindergarten, said she likes such kinds of community activities and was involved in the planning of the carnival.

"The kinds of activities you do are very easy. You don't need to be an artist, you don't need to know how to make it before coming, just a few simple instructions, and you can easily get involved," she said.

At present, Shenghua Community is striving to build itself into an international community, and hopes to provide a good environment for the international development of the community through international events.

Previously, the community established an international football club, and held an international running activity which donated money and books to children in poverty.

Chengdu plans to build 45 international communities in five years so as to help provide international living services for its residents.

Shenghua Community in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone holds an art carnival at Tiexiangsi Water Street in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, on Nov 18. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Shenghua Community in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone holds an art carnival at Tiexiangsi Water Street in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, on Nov 18. [Photo provided to China Daily]