Experiencing China: US high school students enthralled by Spring Festival cultural fair

Los Angeles – "To impress your first visit, we prepared various Chinese cultural activities for you," said Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles, Guo Shaochun, in his opening remarks at the consulate's Open Day event on Wednesday, coinciding with the Lantern Festival.

On this special day, the Consulate welcomed over a hundred students and teachers from four distinguished local high schools—St. Paul High School, Westridge School, Geffen Academy at UCLA, and East College Prep—for a cultural exchange event themed Experiencing China.

Stepping into the consulate, students were immersed in a vibrant Chinese New Year atmosphere, with traditional decorations such as lanterns, spring couplets, and Chinese knots adorning the halls. Led by Counselor Wang Wei, wife of the Consul General, the Chinese Culture Class featured engaging activities, including paper cutting, fan painting, calligraphy, lantern making, and dumpling wrapping, offering students a unique and interactive experience akin to a traditional Spring Festival Cultural Fair.

The Chinese Culture Class provided an immersive crash course in Spring Festival traditions, allowing students to experience the customs firsthand. Through short videos, music, and interactive Q&A sessions, students learned about the origins of the festival, the tradition of New Year's greetings, and popular festive expressions, which heightened their engagement and enthusiasm.

In his remarks, Consul General Guo Shaochun shared, "Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China. It not only reflects the Chinese people's longing for family reunion and their deep ties to their country, but also embodies universal values shared by all of humanity. Though Spring Festival originates from China, it belongs to the world. In September 2022, California became the first US state to recognize Lunar New Year as an official holiday. In December 2023, the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating Spring Festival as a UN floating holiday. In December 2024, UNESCO officially inscribed Spring Festival on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, the festival is a public holiday in nearly 20 countries, serving as a window for the world to experience China and as a bridge for cultural exchange."

Caleb James Miller, son of St. Paul High School Principal Robert Miller, has led multiple student visits to China. Reflecting on last summer's trip, he shared, "Every step of our journey was met with warmth and generosity. Whether in schools, on the basketball court, or during cultural activities, our Chinese hosts welcomed us with open arms and genuine hospitality. We were touched by their kindness, enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisine, learned traditional Chinese arts, and participated in vibrant folk traditions. These experiences will forever be cherished in our hearts."

Westridge School, a private girls' school in Pasadena, has long emphasized Chinese language education. Dr. Melanie Arias, Director of Upper School and an enthusiastic Chinese learner, delivered part of her speech in Chinese, using pinyin annotations. She proudly stated, "Westridge places great importance on Chinese language education and takes pride in having many students with strong cultural connections to China. We hope this event deepens our students' understanding of Chinese culture, and we look forward to more exchanges in the future."

During the event, Westridge School students performed the dance Mang Zhong, while Geffen Academy students showcased a kung fu fan performance, further enriching the cultural experience.

Toward the event's conclusion, Consul General Guo quoted Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." He then shared an inspiring story with the students: "Last January, I hosted an event here for a group of students from California State University, Long Beach, before their two-week visit to China. One senior student, Jordan McClain, shared her dream of becoming a diplomat. I encouraged her to pursue her dream and suggested she consider studying in China. Upon returning, she told us that China was incredible, far beyond her imagination and expectations, and she wanted to pursue a Master's d\Degree there. With our encouragement and support, she applied and was accepted into Renmin University, one of China's top institutions, to study international relations. She has been studying in China since last fall, and she told me that a new chapter of her life began here at this very event."

Encouraging the students, Consul General Guo stated, "I am confident that when you see China with your own eyes, you will realize that beyond our differences, we share many similarities. Perhaps one of you will be the next Jordan, taking a step closer to your dream in China. We also encourage more young people from China to visit the US and experience the beauty of this country. Together, we will continue to promote people-to-people exchanges and foster friendship between China and the US."

During the sharing session, students enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for the diverse cultural experiences and voiced their desire to visit China in the future to further explore and learn about Chinese culture.

The Los Angeles Post