On the morning of April 3rd, Guizhou Equipment Manufacturing Polytechnic (GEMP) hosted the vibrant "Kite Flying and Green Rice Balls Making" experience session, a special cultural event celebrating the Qingming Festival. Six international students from Kyrgyzstan joined hands with their Chinese peers to take part in this immersive cultural journey. Through these hands-on experiences, the participants gained a deeper insight into the traditions of this major Chinese festival and the charm of its cultural heritage, thereby forging a vibrant bridge for cultural exchange between young people from China and abroad.

At the onset of the event, the teachers gave vivid and engaging explanation of Qingming, systematically outlining its origins, cultural connotations, and traditional customs. They emphasized the humanistic spirit embedded in the festival’s core values—filial piety, ancestral respect, aspiration for life, and harmony with nature—as reflected in activities like spring outings, kite flying, and Qingtuan making. From the timeless legend of Jie Zitui to the rituals of ancestor worship, from the symbolic blessings embodied in kites to the nostalgic remembrance preserved in green rice balls, the insightful presentations enabled international students to grasp not only the festival’s practices but also the profound Eastern wisdom and holistic outlook on life hidden beneath these traditions. This allowed the international students, far from their homeland, to forge a deeper and more comprehensive connection with Chinese traditional culture.

The highlight of the day unfolded during the practical sessions. International students and their Chinese classmates paired up to creatively decorate kites, infusing each stroke with their beautiful aspirations. Through their colorful brushwork, they expressed their joy for life and blessings for friendship. In the Qingtuan-making segment, everyone gathered around the table, and under the teacher's guidance, they kneaded the dough, mixing fillings, and shaped the rice balls, mastering how to make this traditional delicacy. Through their fingertips, they sensed the delicate flavors and the joy inherent in Chinese culinary culture.

The event reached a joyful climax as all participants gathered on the sports field to fly their handcrafted kites. Under the warm spring sun, colorful kites swayed gently amidst bursts of laughter. Through this activity, the international students truly experienced the lively charm of Qingming folk customs, felt the vibrant energy of spring, and actively engaged with living Chinese traditions.

This initiative provided international students with a holistic platform to immerse themselves in Chinese culture—listening, observing, doing, and reflecting. Beyond enriching the campus life of our international students, it fostered a genuine platform for cultural exchange, presenting outstanding Chinese traditional culture to the world. It illuminated how different civilizations thrive through mutual learning and dialogue, underscoring GEMP's enduring commitment to cross-cultural education and its aspiration to build bridges for global youth friendship.