Fragrant reed leaves wrapped with zongzi, the charm of Chinese tradition unveiled; joy shared across the four seas, civilizations learning from one another. On June 16, the Three-College Joint Dragon Boat Festival Cultural Fair, hosted by the College of Financial Technology, the College of Foreign Languages, and the College of International Exchange, was held on the grand platform of Huixing Building at Shenzhen University's Yuehai Campus. Centered around the traditional culture of the Dragon Boat Festival, the fair integrated ritual blessings, fun challenge games, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, inviting international friends from multiple countries to immerse themselves in the festival's cultural essence, and using the occasion as a bridge for warm cross-cultural exchange between China and the world.

Green Zongzi, Wishes of Blessing — Encountering the Elegance of an Eastern Dragon Boat Festival

The registration and blessing area exuded an antique charm, where visitors wrote their wishes in ink on reed leaves and tied colorful five-colored ropes to invite good fortune and ward off misfortune, collectively offering prayers for health and peace through these traditional rituals. Many international students appreciated the calligraphy on reed leaves, listened to the stories behind the Dragon Boat Festival, and posed for photos to capture the warmth of this Eastern cultural moment. They also tried on traditional Chinese Hanfu, strolling through the ancient-style backdrop to take commemorative photos, fully immersing themselves in the graceful elegance of Chinese attire. Students from Shenzhen Nantes College of Financial Technology and multilingual students from the College of Foreign Languages served as cultural volunteers, sharing the tales of the Dragon Boat Festival and leveraging their language skills to facilitate cultural exchange, showcasing the caliber of cross-cultural, versatile talents.

Fun Challenges — A Festive Dragon Boat Festival Extravaganza

Five Dragon Boat Festival-themed challenge stations ignited the atmosphere, with Chinese and international students forming teams freely and competing side by side, unlocking new fun in traditional customs through laughter and camaraderie. At the "Zongzi Bowling" station, participants tossed with ease, exchanging tips and drawing closer to one another. At the "Zongzi Toss" sandbag game, winners and losers alike shared in the warmth and joy of the moment. The "Shooting the Five Poisons" station recreated the ancient art of archery, where international visitors tried their hand at drawing the bow for the first time, finding the ritual of dispelling evil and invoking blessings both novel and profound. The land dragon boat race demanded teamwork and coordination, as Chinese and international partners moved in unison, experiencing firsthand the spirit of "pulling together through thick and thin"—much like the collaboration among the three colleges, working in harmony toward a shared vision of using the Dragon Boat Festival as a bridge to foster cross-cultural exchange and nurture young talents with both patriotic devotion and a global outlook. The APEC knowledge quiz blended cultural learning with intellectual engagement, with Chinese and international students exchanging questions and answers in a vibrant display of intellectual synergy and mutual understanding. As the challenges drew to a close, guests exchanged their stamped pass cards for cultural creative gifts such as Chinese-style round fans and wellness gift boxes, departing with hearts full of joy and hands full of rewards.

The Artistry of Intangible Heritage — A Glimpse into Millennia of Eastern Culture

Beyond the bustle of the challenge arena, four tranquil workshops dedicated to intangible cultural heritage offered participants an immersive journey into the refined artistry of ancient times. At the cloisonné workshop, fine metal wires traced intricate patterns, later filled with brilliant enamels—a testament to the masterful precision of Jingtailan craftsmanship. In the botanical rubbing corner, the verdant hues of summer were gently pressed and imprinted onto fabric with rhythmic taps. The grass-weaving station produced delicate wind chimes that swayed in the breeze, carrying silent wishes for enduring peace. Meanwhile, the mugwort sachet workshop saw participants cutting fabric and stuffing it with fragrant herbs, reenacting the age-old Dragon Boat Festival tradition of dispelling ill fortune and inviting blessings. With quiet dedication, each attendee immersed themselves in the tactile beauty of these time-honored crafts. The spirited energy of the challenges and the serene focus of the workshops—movement and stillness in harmonious counterpoint—vividly conveyed the festive allure of the Dragon Boat Festival and the profound cultural richness of Chinese civilization.

Diversity and Inclusion — Inspiring the Future Through Cultural Dialogue

As the evening breeze gently swept through, the fair came to a joyful close amid the fragrance of zongzi and the sound of laughter. The colorful silk cords still wrapped around wrists, the mugwort sachets stitched by one's own hands, and the land dragon boats crafted through teamwork all became the most vivid and tender mementos of this early summer.

This was more than just a Dragon Boat Festival gathering—it was a cultural dialogue that transcended language and connected people from across the globe.