International students learn to make zongzi. [Photo/WeChat account: nuagjy]

The Nanjing University of the Arts' 2024 International Summer School invited 36 students from the United States, Russia, and China to experience Dragon Boat Festival customs.

On June 9, students tried their hands at making zongzi (rice dumplings wrapped in leaves) and learned about the origins and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival. On June 10, the day of the festival, they traveled to Xuzhou, cradle of Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) culture, to visit the Xuzhou Museum and the Han Dynasty Stone Relief Art Museum.

Students visit the Xuzhou Museum in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/WeChat account: nuagjy]

Stone reliefs from the Han Dynasty, considered by many scholars to be the precursors of Chinese painting, depict a wide range of subjects, including everyday life, historical tales, and mythical fantasies.

Students also learned the traditional technique of woodblock printing and creating fans adorned with designs inspired by the Han stone reliefs. By combining motifs such as dragons, fish, and tigers, they used classic carving techniques to transfer the museum's iconic patterns onto the fans.

This cultural exchange provided the international students with a hands-on experience of Chinese art and traditions, enriching their understanding of the Dragon Boat Festival and the historical significance of Han Dynasty art.

Students try drawing patterns inspired by the Han stone reliefs. [Photo/WeChat account: nuagjy]