Intl students experience Dragon Boat Festival in Shandong's county

The international students experience the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival in Xiajin cvounty. [Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, 11 international students from Liaocheng University visited Xiajin county in East China's Shandong province, where they made zongzi (sweet or savory stuffed rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), crafted sachets, and wore hand ropes.

Following the steps of local artisans, the students began by rolling bamboo leaves into a funnel shape and filling them with glutinous rice. They then gathered the leaves towards the center and securely tied them with strings, wrapping it around several times. This resulted in well-packed and authentic zongzi.

Even though it was challenging for beginners, the students found the process fascinating. Despite the imperfect shapes of their zongzi, everyone enjoyed themselves, sharing tips and admiring each other's creations.

"I feel great. Everything here is so fresh to me, especially these zongzi, they're delicious. Even though I'm not skilled at making them, they taste amazing," said a student from Jordan.

The international students later learned how to sew sachets from Zhang Xiaoyun, a designated inheritor of this technique. With the onset of hot and humid weather around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival, the breeding activity of mosquitoes and other pests ramps up. "Sachets can help clear heat and expel insects, making them very suitable for this season," said Zhang.

After hearing Zhang's words, a student from South Korea eagerly got to work. She promptly followed the production steps, taking out pre-cut fabric, threading the needle, and delicately filling her sachet with herbs such as mugwort and patchouli. After some meticulous stitching, a one-of-a-kind sachet was finished.

"This is my first time participating in cultural activities for the Dragon Boat Festival. It's a completely new experience for me," said the South Korean student.

During the event, the international students gained a deeper understanding of Xiajin's distinctive folk culture and immersed themselves in its rich history and local customs. Going forward, Xiajin will continue to welcome foreign friends, actively fostering cultural exchange platforms, and organizing various international cultural activities to enhance their appreciation of traditional Chinese folk culture. (Edited by Zhang Ying)