Sunlight bathes the campus of Shenyang Jianzhu University, while a gentle breeze sweeps across the golden rice field, making the heavy ears sway gently. The annual Rice Harvest Festival of Shenyang Jianzhu University is being held here, as international teachers and students step into the fields with delight to experience both the toil and joy of harvesting rice.

This rice field landscape at Shenyang Jianzhu University embodies both the memory of farming culture and the characteristics of the campus. It won the International Design Award from the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) in 2018, becoming the world’s first award-winning campus landscape project themed on rice fields. Yuan Longping, the “father of hybrid rice,” graciously inscribed the words for the university, “The scent of ripe rice pervades the campus, nurturing rice is like nurturing people.” The university engraved his inscription on a memorial stone, which stands permanently on campus.

More than 20 international students from 12 countries, including Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Venezuela, took part in the rice harvest festival. They not only harvested the rice but also created grain collages and tasted porridge made from freshly harvested rice.

Khadim Ndao, an international student from Senegal, bundled the harvested rice stalks with straw. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he said with deep feeling, “During Chinese culture class, the teacher told us that ‘Food is the paramount necessity of the people.’ Today, as I touched the golden rice ears and experienced the entire rice harvesting process firsthand, I finally understood the meaning of this saying. From now on, I will cherish every grain of rice.” Several Russian international students said that participating in the rice harvest festival helped them understand the connotation of the ancient Chinese poem, “Who knows that the rice on our plates is the fruit of hard toil?”

Senthil, an international teacher at Shenyang Jianzhu University, participated in the rice harvest festival for the first time. He carefully learned how to use a sickle to harvest rice and experienced the joy of a bountiful harvest. “Food is the most important thing for everybody in life. This rice field advocates the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, constantly reminding us that food is hard-earned and that we reap what we sow.” Senthil said.

The Rice Harvest Festival of Shenyang Jianzhu University has been held for 23 years. Each department manages its own “responsibility field,” and conducts spring sowing and autumn harvesting activities every year. On average, more than 20,000 faculty and students participate each year. The harvested rice is used in the university canteens and for the production of university souvenirs.