Chinese Bridge finalists participate in Mid-Autumn poetry event

Contestants in the finals of the 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students recently joined a Mid‑Autumn poetry event in Yangliuqing Ancient Town in Tianjin's Xiqing district.

Together with their guardians and local Chinese student families, the contestants tasted mooncakes, made lacquer fans, crafted sugar figurines and watched folk performances, getting a firsthand taste of Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

Celine Camila Rocha Sousa, a contestant from Cape Verde, scored on her first throw in the traditional pitch‑pot game. She also designed a dress blending Cape Verdean and Chinese elements for the event. "These are my two favorite countries. I hope to come to China to study through the Chinese Bridge," she said.

Cindy Pinon Chirino from Cuba made her first lacquer fan with red and yellow pigments. After studying Chinese for two years, she said learning the language had allowed her to experience "the kindness and warmth of Chinese people".

For Tumelo Rabolinyane from Lesotho, classical Chinese poetry was the highlight of the evening.

"It's a totally different experience, and it opened a new world for me," he said.

The gathering also featured poetry recitals, traditional dance and music, as well as a poetry relay in which Chinese and foreign students recited classic lines together.

At the end of the event, contestants from different countries held mooncakes and wished one another a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese, bringing together language learning and traditional Chinese culture in the ancient town.

Liu Zhenyi and Ma Qiran contributed to this story.