(Correspondent Chen Huafei) During his visit to Tsinghua University, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “We should enhance cultural confidence, use beauty as a medium, and strengthen international cultural exchanges.” On May 12th, the school organized a trip to Hubei Institute of Fine Arts for international students to visit the exhibition of graduates’ works, listen to art lectures, and participate in inter-school exchanges to receive aesthetic education and experience the charm of Chinese culture. Wang Zhengjun, Vice President of the International Education School, Li Xiongtao, Director of the School Office, and Chen Huafei, counselor of international students, led the team to attend the trip. Our teachers and students were kindly received by Liu Maoping, Standing Committee Member and Vice President of Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, Zhang Rui, Director of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation, and other relevant persons.
Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, as the only 100-year institution of higher art in central China, has distinctive features and outstanding highlights. During the tour, our students and teachers visited 11 exhibition sites of graduates’ works. The works exhibited in the exhibition hall of each department covered various kinds of works such as painting, sculpture, visual communication design, environmental design, product design, costume and costume design, digital media art, arts and crafts, etc. A large number of positive works in the exhibition, which carried forward the spirit of China’s anti-epidemic and other themes, aroused the strong interest of the international students. Thanks to the explanation of the professional teachers of the relevant departments, teachers and students had a good understanding of their design concept, creative background and cultural connotation.
During the exhibition, our students and faculty also listened to lectures in three specialized fields: Chinese painting and calligraphy, ceramic art, and traditional Chinese handicraft art. Moreover, they had friendly exchanges with international students from sister institutions who came to see the exhibition.
The Aesthetic Education Activity, Touring HIFA - Experiencing Chinese Culture, is an important part of the “Five Education” for international students, and it is another special education activity after the practical education activity of making face painting and incense bags for international students. The rich and enriching study tour programs received supports and thanks from the international students.
Using beauty as a medium is an important way to tell international students about the excellent Chinese traditional culture. Through this practical activity of aesthetic education, our international students saw the elements of China, the inner spirit and the image of a great country in the artworks that embody Chinese culture, achieving the good effect of promotion of the spirit of Chinese aesthetic education, enhancement of international cultural exchanges, and contribution to the power of ZUEL for sharing the Chinese story.
