Recently, the launch ceremony for the 8th “Meet in Shanghai” Essay and Short Video Competition, along with the “Gathering in Shanghai” event for international students, was held at the Shanghai Library East Branch. ECUST organized ten international students from countries including Colombia, Turkmenistan, Venezuela to participate. They immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture to welcome the upcoming Chinese New Year.

The event space buzzed with vibrant cultural exchange. Students enthusiastically took part in activities such as Hanfu clothing and the intangible cultural heritage craft of rubbing. Wearing different styles of Hanfu, they experienced firsthand the grace and charm of ancient Chinese fashion. By creating patterns by their own through the rubbing technique, students also tasted the hands-on joy and appreciated the craftsmanship behind this cultural heritage.

The students also toured the modern Shanghai Library East Branch. They sensed the public reading culture and urban warmth of Shanghai as an international metropolis. During the event, Ijaz Ul Haq, a Pakistani doctoral student at ECUST and former award winner of the “Meet in Shanghai” series, shared his personal stories of living and studying in Shanghai, reflecting on cross-cultural experiences that resonated deeply with the audience.

The event provided international students with a meaningful opportunity to explore Chinese New Year traditions and experience the unique charm of Shanghai’s cultural landscape. Through firsthand participation and meaningful exchanges, students deepened their understanding of traditional Chinese culture and their connection to life and study in Shanghai, creating lasting and cherished memories.