International Youth Experience Chinese Poetry, Oracle Bone Script at Qixi Celebration
Published: August 20, 2026 | Time: 08:00 PM
BEIJING (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20th Aug, 2026) More than 30 international students from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zambia, Morocco, Iran, Ghana, and India gathered at the Nanjing World Literature Hall, a landmark cultural venue in China’s first UNESCO "City of Literature," to immerse themselves in Chinese poetic culture, calligraphy, and hands-on creativity during a Qixi Festival celebration.
The Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, is China’s most romantic traditional festival, commemorating the legendary love between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Originally known as the "Qiqiao Festival" or "Begging for Skills Festival," it was a day when young women prayed for wisdom and dexterity in needlework.
This event is part of the 2026 Qixi Garden Party, running from August 15 to 23, offering a unique blend of classical poetry, contemporary music, ancient scripts, and intangible heritage crafts.
International students sang along to classical verses by Li Bai, the nomadic ballad "Chile Song," and Xin Qiji’s "Green Jade Table: Lantern Festival," set to original music by a local composer. Live performances brought these ancient poems to life through modern melodies.
Participants also attempted writing Qixi-themed characters in oracle bone script, the earliest known form of Chinese characters dating back over 3,000 years. Using traditional Hanfu attire, they ground ink and brushed characters like "Qixi," "Cowherd and Weaver Girl," "Joy from Heaven," and "Blossoming Moon." As they meticulously crafted these ancient scripts, they delved into the origins of Chinese civilization and connected with its rich cultural heritage.
Among them was Urooj Rehmani from Pakistan, who was attempting Oracle Bone Script for the second time. She expressed a deep fascination with Chinese history and culture, frequently learning Chinese songs and reciting classical poems. Beyond the rhythmic rhymes, she noted, the profound meanings and emotions conveyed through the poems resonated deeply with her. "Through this event, I gain a more direct appreciation of the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture and a more intuitive understanding of the beautiful sentiments behind the Qixi Festival," she said.
The celebration also featured a festive garden fair with artist booths and interactive experiences showcasing intangible cultural heritage crafts. Visitors explored stalls presented by the Nanjing Yunjin (brocade) Museum, intangible heritage velvet flower artisans, and other cultural organizations.
