Tongji University's 'Panda Talk' team wins Star of Future
By Wang Ying in Shanghai | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-08-05 16:47
Tongji University's "Panda Talking - International Students Telling Stories about China's Intangible Cultural Heritage" was honored with the prestigious Star of Future at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held recently in New Delhi, India, when the 2024 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovation Cases were announced during the thematic side event.
The Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases, organized by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for Asia and the Pacific Region under UNESCO's auspices, with the aim to create an international platform for sharing and co-developing innovative educational models focused on world heritage and providing a guide for global practitioners in heritage education innovation.
The "Panda Talk" team is a group of international students from various countries who enjoy a passion for Chinese intangible cultural heritage, such as Chinese traditional medicine, bamboo weaving, and the Lantern Festival. The students document and record their personal experiences and insights gained from learning and practicing this Chinese cultural heritage through written pieces and videos, which they share with a global audience via online platforms.
After four years of exploration and practice, the team has developed a "Tongji Model" for international students to tell stories about China's intangible cultural heritage, such as field research, academic competitions, publications, and video releases.
They established the "Walking and Watching China" storytelling class, where international students conduct fieldwork around China to experience various forms of Chinese heritage, including traditional medicine, arts, and customs. Examples include exploring tulou, and traditional earthen dwellings in Quanzhou, Fujian province.
In addition to field research, the team organized various cultural activities, including the "Intangible Heritage at Tongji" series, and a Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Garden, along with Chinese culture contests like poetry, calligraphy, and herbal photography.
These efforts enhance international students' understanding and appreciation of Chinese cultural heritage, while also attracting more participants to the initiative, according to the university.
Zhou Jiayi contributed to this story.
