The art fest "Two Cultures – two Countries" launched the festival of international students

On February 24, the Festival of international students started at Brest State A.S.Pushkin University. The first event in his program is the art festival "Two Cultures – two Countries". This year, the opening was dedicated to the Chinese New Year. The holiday was held in Chinese traditions, but with a Belarusian flavor.

The art festival "Two Cultures - two Countries" was organized by the club association "Dialogue of Cultures". The head of the club, Zinaida Stepanovna Levchuk, said that the purpose of the art festival is to form intercultural tolerance and respect for the culture of other nations among students, as well as the perception of the world as the main factor in the development of society. The event was attended by students and undergraduates of Law and History Faculties, the Faculties of Pedagogy and Psychology, and Physical Education and Sports. "The university is famous for the festival of international students. This year we gave him a Chinese accent," said Rector Yury Petrovich Holubeu. – "Belarus and China are far from each other, but they are close in economic and interpersonal relations. Belarus kindly accepts people of other cultures. Our people are ready to share their culture and traditions and absorb the best traditions of other cultures. Mutual enrichment is taking place."

The Confucius Institute joined the celebration. Its director from the Chinese side, Fang Shengliang, noted that the Chinese New Year is called the Spring festival, and today the most romantic season of the year is already in the air. Fang Shengliang believes that our university is dynamically developing and strengthening international relations. He assured that the Confucius Institute would continue to make every effort to further spread the Chinese language and culture in Belarus.

The program of the festival was rich and included workshops, creative performances, an interactive program, a culinary lounge and a presentation about Chinese New Year traditions. The New Year's theme and the theme of the confrontation between winter and spring became central to the opening of the festival of international students. Many viewers were surprised to learn that there is no Father Frost in China. But, of course, Father Frost from Pushcha came to the art festival with his granddaughter Snegurochka. They conducted a quiz among the students and presented sweet gifts for the correct answers to the questions.

Chinese people are very creative. Therefore, within the framework of the art festival, the program "Polyphony of cultures - the basis of peace on earth" was held, during which students performed a medley of Chinese melodies, Chinese and Belarusian songs. The celebration was diversified by a sports performance. The art festival was colored by the workshop "The Art of Chinese Tea drinking" and the interactive "Carnival has come – spring has called!".

At the end of the art festival, Vice Rector for Ideological and Educational Work Elena Alekseevna Burik noted that the art festival "Two Cultures - two Countries" allowed everyone to touch the culture of China and Belarus. In her opinion, this holiday enriches and promotes closer cultural dialogue.

Recall that the Chinese New Year, called the Spring Festival, is the longest in the People's Republic of China. In 2026, it will end on March 3. In China, it is customary for a large family to gather for the New Year and set a rich table. There must be meat, fish and dumplings on the table. It is believed that fireworks bring peace and happiness to the family.

Julia Vovk
Photo by Victoria Shvedovskaya