With flowers in full bloom, everything was thriving on the campus of Shenyang University of Technology in early summer. On May 16, in a smart classroom surrounded by 9 multimedia teaching screens, over 20 international students from 18 countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Togo and other countries, were amazed by the immersive experience of appreciating the national treasures of bronze ware.
The promotional video was played repeatedly on the large screen. The themed publicity posters of the mysterious and stately bronze ware were placed in a row, which created a rich atmosphere of Chinese culture. The international students, who just entered the classroom, could not help stopping to have a closer look at the posters and examine attentively the shapes, patterns and styles of the bronze ware. Full of curiosity and surprise, they kept taking out their cellphones to take photos.
After the sharing meeting started, teachers and students watched together a short video titled “Bronze Big Round Ding with Beast-Mask Design: A Prosperous China”, an episode of the series of short videos of National Treasures in Liaoning. Then, Zhang Song, the creator in chief, gave a special lecture on the origin, shape, craftsmanship, function, significance, and other aspects of ten representative items of the bronze ware in Liaoning. He took the international students on a journey through the long history and rich culture of Liaoning. Whenever an item of the bronze ware appeared on the large screen, exclamations of “wow” would erupt from the international students on the site.
In the Q&A interactive session, the international students not only answered the names of the bronze ware items correctly by looking at pictures but also told the functions of these cultural relics in ancient times. Those who answered the questions correctly first were rewarded the themed cultural and creative products of National Treasures in Liaoning. They won the admiration and envy of the students around them. 5 questions were not enough for the international students present and they asked for more questions from the staff with relish to test the result of their learning.
“The casting and forging craftsmanship of ancient China is consummate and with such exquisite patterns and styles. The spectators are all amazed at the wisdom of the Chinese ancestors”, said Awaga Afi Laeticia from Togo. “Through these cultural relics, I not merely recognize the richness and profoundness of Chinese culture but also realize Chinese people’s deep love for and pride in their own culture.” KASEREKA ELISE from the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that “I will forward the content of today’s activity and the videos of the bronze ware to my friends back at home and let them have a look at these ingenious national treasures in Liaoning and appreciate the beauty of the cultural relics of Liaoning”. He became the Introducer for the national treasures in Liaoning on the site and offered to help other students search for the homepage of National Treasures in Liaoning and then subscribe and bookmark.
“Today’s activity is exceptionally popular and meaningful. Students’ enthusiasm is the most convincing evidence”, said Xu Yan, the deputy dean of International Student College, Shenyang University of Technology. “The cultural relics of Liaoning are so diverse that the theme of harmony can resonate with both the West and the East. The international students can also immerse themselves in these cultural relics, have a better understanding of the history of Liaoning, and experience Chinese culture”. Zhao Yang, the director of the Overseas Study Department, International Student College, Shenyang University of Technology, said that “many international students were thoroughly amazed and attracted by the charm of the national treasures in Liaoning through this activity. I believe many of them will become the Introducers for the national treasures in Liaoning and tell the stories of China and Liaoning well overseas”.
