Page 23 - 文化旅游2024-6

China·South Asia 22

Planting a seed of friendship

种下一粒友谊种子

By Xinhuanet □ 新华网

Recently, the Chinese Embassy in Sri
Lanka organized a series of Chinese cul-
ture-themed activities at the Sri Lanka Boys’
Model School in Malabe. Under the guid-
ance of Chinese teachers, post-2000 stu-
dents in Sri Lanka wrote calligraphy, learned
paper-cutting, and practiced martial arts,
immersing themselves in traditional Chinese
culture.

近日，由中国驻斯里兰卡大使馆主办的“中
国文化进校园”系列活动在斯里兰卡马拉贝男子
模范学校举办。斯里兰卡“00 后”学生们在中国
老师们的指导下写书法、学剪纸、练武术，沉浸
式体验中国传统文化。

I’ve seen Chinese kung fu movies and chop-
sticks in restaurants, but this is the first time I’ve
experienced Chinese culture firsthand. It’s such
“a pleasant surprise!” said Sapumal, a student at
the Sri Lanka Boys’ Model School in Malabe, proudly
holding up his calligraphy work for everyone to ad-
mire.
The students at the school are no strangers to China.
Sapumal mentioned that his teachers told him their
school uniforms were donated by China. “China, you-
hao (meaning friendly)!” he said with a smile.
A long bench on the other side of the classroom is
covered with Chinese handicrafts, including Peking Op-
era masks, enameled porcelain objects, fans, screens, and
tea sets, attracting many students’ attention.
“What are the meanings of Peking Opera masks?”
“What festival is celebrated with lanterns?” “What is
my Chinese zodiac sign?” The students raised ques-
tions one after another. After receiving answers, a few
senior students took out their smartphones to show our
reporters traditional Sri Lankan masks and paper lan-
terns from the local Wesak Festival. “It turns out that
Chinese culture and our culture are connected. Now I
feel that China is closer to us in my heart.”
Zhang Min, a teacher at the Bandaranaike Center
for International Studies in Sri Lanka, mentioned that
these Chinese culture-themed activities are scheduled
to take place at 11 primary and secondary schools in
Sri Lanka over six months, and so far, they have been
held at three schools. “I am responsible for paper-cut-
ting. Every time the children unfold their paper-cut-
tings, their expressions of surprise are as if they have
witnessed a miracle. Many students tell me that they
plan to put their paper-cuttings on their windows at
home to share the joy with their families. I hope such
an immersive experience will plant a seed of friend-
ship in the hearts of every local primary and secondary
school student, which will slowly take root and grow.”
Talking about the future, Sapumal shared his dream
of going to China. “I’m heading to college soon, and
I plan to study architecture in China. It’s been my
long-cherished wish.”