Turkish students experience Chinese culture in Türkiye

From July 22nd to July 26th, a summer camp featuring cultural communication was held in the Confucius Institute of Middle East Technical University, bringing together more than 40 university students in Ankara, Türkiye for a fantastic cultural exchange experience.

The camp was hosted by the “Sino-Turkish Communication” team from Tsinghua University. It offered a range of activities, including admiring and learning Chinese folk music and folk dances, exploring the mystery of a Chinese intangible cultural heritage called lacquer fans, trying Qigong-Baduanjin, crafting various kinds of Chinese knot, and appreciating and learning Chinese calligraphy.

Turkish students learned to dance Chinese Dai dance under the guidance of Niu Yitong, a student from the team of Tsinghua University.(Photo provied to Guangming Online)

In addition to showcasing the colorful and long-standing Chinese culture to Turkish students, the team members also designed several flipped classrooms. From their Turkish counterparts, students from the team in Tsinghua University, learned to sing the Turkish song “Bana Ellerini Ver”, experienced Ebru, which is a traditional Turkish art of marbling, and learned to dance the Turkish dance Govend. There are no borders and boundaries for the spreading and understanding of different cultures. The flipped classrooms not only helped the team members to feel the collision and integration of different cultures, but also showed the world the inclusiveness of Chinese culture.

Filiz, a Turkish Marbling artist taught the team how to do Ebru. (Photo provied to Guangming Online)

The camp concluded on July 26th, with nearly ten performances showcased by both Turkish students and students from Tsinghua University, culminating in a heartfelt rendition of “Bana Ellerini Ver” sang by students from the team, and “Auld Lang Syne”, sang together by all the students.

Reflecting on the past five-day summer camp, Zhang Zichen, a student from the “Sino-Turkish Communication” team from Tsinghua University, said, “Although the summer camp only lasted for five days, these beautiful memories will be like fine wine, becoming more fragrant over time, and may the friendship between us last forever.”

Chinese and Turkish students who attended the performance pose for a group photo(Photo provied to Guangming Online)

“I have long been fascinated by China and its time-honored tradition and diverse cultures. This camp has given me more impetus to learn Chinese.” Said Umut Berk Karakaya from Türkiye.