Overseas students from 26 countries learn Chinese lion dance in Zhuhai

On July 23rd, nearly 130 overseas students from 26 countries studying at the Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai visited Xintang Elementary School in Doumen District, Zhuhai, to experience Doumen lion dance, China's national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The students first toured a campus exhibition on traditional Chinese culture, where martial arts equipment, painted lion heads, cloisonné enamelware and other displays captured their attention. A captivating drunken lion dance followed, with the lion's dynamic movements set to rhythmic drumbeats conveying auspicious meanings, much to the students' amazement.

Overseas students in China visit a campus exhibition on traditional Chinese culture. (Photo provided by interviewee)

Overseas students show great interest in the traditional lion dance. (Photo provided by interviewee)

During the teacher-apprenticeship session, Chen Bojian, a representative inheritor of the Doumen lion dance (Zhuhai's municipal-level ICH), and his team led a training session, guiding students through the basic "three-bend" lion dance stance, which involves bending the neck, waist, and knees. Although their movements were unpolished, the students showed great enthusiasm. Maria, a student from Russia, remarked that the lion head was heavy yet powerful.

Overseas students dressed in Chinese-style attire practice Choy Li Fut Wooden Dummies. (Photo provided by interviewee)

Students from Xintang Elementary School also joined the activity, sharing training stories and helping correct the overseas students' movements. Bos, a student from Uzbekistan, had the chance to try out the Choy Lee Fut Wooden Dummies, fulfilling his dream of "learning from a master."

Overseas students learn lion dance movements. (Photo provided by interviewee)

As a base for ICH transmission, the school hopes to use the lion as a cultural medium to showcase the vitality of traditional Chinese culture. This event allowed overseas students to experience the charm of lion dance, while the elementary school students gained a deeper understanding of the global appeal of ICH. In the end, smiling faces of diverse backgrounds gathered around the lion heads, symbolizing the cultural connection that transcends borders.

26国留学生珠海“拜师学醒狮”

7月23日，26个国家的近130名北京理工大学珠海校区留学生，在珠海斗门区新堂小学体验国家级非遗——斗门醒狮。活动中，留学生们先参观了校园传统文化展览，武术器械、彩绘狮头、掐丝珐琅等展品吸引他们驻足拍照。随后的醉狮表演，醒狮随锣鼓声展现多样姿态，蕴含吉祥寓意，让留学生们惊喜不已。

“拜师学艺”环节，珠海市级非遗（斗门醒狮）代表性传承人陈柏坚及团队授课，教大家练习“三弯”基本功。留学生们虽动作生涩，但兴致高昂，俄罗斯留学生玛利亚感慨狮头虽重却有力量。

新堂小学的学生也参与其中，与留学生分享训练趣事、纠正动作。乌兹别克斯坦留学生博思体验了蔡李佛拳木人桩，圆了“拜师梦”。

作为非遗传承基地，新堂小学希望以狮为媒，展现中国传统文化生命力。此次活动让留学生感受醒狮魅力，也让小学生体会到非遗的国际吸引力。最后，不同肤色的笑脸与狮头同框，见证非遗跨越国界的连接。

文｜何叶舟

翻译 | 曾敏

审校 | 林佳岱