Expats learn to make Chinese handicrafts

More than 170 people from seven countries and regions joined an online Chinese culture class offered by Minzhi International Block in Shenzhen’s Longhua District on Saturday to learn about traditional Chinese patterns and create their own handicrafts with such patterns.

The event is the September session of a monthly project that was initiated in September 2021 by Minzhi's Hongshan International Service Center, which aims to build an international neighborhood and create a multicultural atmosphere in a city-designated international block in which more than 1,400 expats reside.

The free classes, with a wide range of Chinese culture themes such as paper cutting, kite making and Chinese painting and calligraphy, are designed to enhance the understanding of Chinese culture as well as promote cultural exchanges between China and overseas countries.

This month's theme, traditional Chinese patterns, allowed participants from various countries, such as the United States, Canada, Malaysia and Pakistan, to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse Chinese traditional patterns: their classification, features and constituent elements.

Many cultures have their own traditional patterns, many often with a long history and unique ethnic style. They convey more than just aesthetic beauty and are widely used in daily life incorporated in clothing, artworks and porcelain.

Encouraging the participants to make their creations, the teacher explained the methods of drawing and designing their own traditional Chinese patterns. Participants who completed their creations showcased their works and commented that classes like this provide a good way for expats to learn more about Chinese culture, make friends and improve their Chinese proficiency.

A teacher demonstrates how to create a traditional Chinese pattern during an online class offered by Minzhi International Block in Shenzhen’s Longhua District on Saturday. Courtesy of the organizer

Participants pose for a photo with their creations. 

Creations by participants.

Creations by participants.

Creations by participants.