At an important juncture when China-Russia educational exchanges continue to deepen and cooperation under the China-Russia Years of Education is advancing in greater depth, the Confucius Institute at Irkutsk State University recently successfully hosted an open day series of cultural events themed “Understanding Chinese Aesthetics Through the Prism of History”, to further consolidate the foundation of bilateral humanitarian cooperation and promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture. The event featured a thematic cultural lecture and six immersive themed workshops. By combining theoretical presentations with hands-on experience, it presented the charm of traditional Chinese aesthetics in a comprehensive and multi-dimensional way. Nearly 300 Russian teachers and students and local community residents attended and appreciate the historical depth and aesthetic charm of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. 

Bayramova, director of the Confucius Institute at Irkutsk State University, delivered a  thematic lecture on Chinese aesthetics, taking the historical context as the main thread and drawing on AI-powered digital technology, high-definition archival footage and detailed documentary materials. The lecture systematically reviewed the course of China’s historical development and focused on the evolution of traditional Chinese clothing culture. During the event, 16 Confucius Institute students appeared on stage one after another in Hanfu characteristic of the Qin, Han, Tang, Song and other dynasties. They vividly recreated the elegance and cultural richness of China’s millennia-old clothing civilization, triggering strong cultural resonance and aesthetic recognition among the audience. After the lecture, attendees actively took part in a Hanfu experience workshop, directly experiencing the unique charm of traditional clothing culture and expressing their willingness to continue learning Chinese and deepening their study of Chinese culture. 

      During the event, in addition to classic workshops on tea culture, calligraphy and sachet making, the Confucius Institute, drawing on the core connotations of Eastern aesthetics, conducted new featured workshops on zen-inspired traditional Chinese painting and traditional Chinese patterns. The event attracted many culture enthusiasts to pause for experience and practice, offering an immersive encounter with traditional Chinese aesthetics.

The open day event featured rich content, diverse formats and broad reach, fully meeting the cultural experience needs of all age groups, with participation reaching a record high in the institute’s history. The thematic lecture and six special workshops complemented each other and combined static and dynamic elements, comprehensively showcasing the rich connotations of Chinese folk culture and traditional art. Using immersive cultural experience as a vehicle, the event built a high-quality platform for China-Russia civilization exchanges and mutual learning, which effectively narrowed the emotional distance between the peoples of the two countries, continued to empower China-Russia friendly cooperation in education and culture in the new era, and fostered deeper and more substantive bilateral friendship.

Translator: Fu Zuoqi

Edited by: Mark Moore

Proofread by: Mu Xiaolin

Reviewed by: Jin Jinghua