Intl. students encounter with Chinese culture

The gentle rhythm of brush on paper and the delicate snip of scissors marked a day of cultural discovery as 24 international students from 12 countries gathered for the first edition of the 2026 “Love Shenzhen” City Walk at Shenzhen Muchuan Tea Culture Research Institute in Nanshan District Friday.

International students try writing calligraphy. Photos courtery of the organizer

Around the theme of “Exploring Chinese Culture Amid the Charm of Paper and Ink,” the immersive event, hosted by Shenzhen Academy of Chinese Culture and co-organized by Shenzhen Polytechnic University, brought students from Côte d'Ivoire, Russia, Serbia, Niger, and beyond into the timeless worlds of Chinese calligraphy and paper-cutting.

International students learn attentively at the event.

The event combined cultural insights with hands-on practice, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with China’s artistic heritage. Instructors explained the artistic conception of calligraphy, the millennia-long evolution of Chinese characters, and the meanings and folk stories woven into paper-cut patterns.

Students show their paper-cutting works.

During the hands-on session, students picked up calligraphy brushes for the first time, tracing characters with quiet concentration. In the flowing rhythm of brush and ink, they discovered a refined grace unique to Chinese aesthetics. Later, scissors in hand, they cut intricate patterns, experiencing the delicate ingenuity of traditional crafts with every careful movement. From fumbling first attempts to growing confidence, the students remained deeply focused, visibly moved by the unique charm of the Chinese culture.

Students pose for a group photo.

“The calligraphy learning is a truly enriching experience that allows us to discover the origins of Chinese writing,” said Mamahadou Gaya Jafarou, a student from Niger at Shenzhen Polytechnic University. 

“Through this activity, we have explored many different styles of Chinese calligraphy. We have understood that Chinese characters originated from shapes in nature and daily life and have gradually evolved over time. I am truly proud to have participated, and this experience shows how deeply China's development is rooted in its traditions,” Jafarou added.

As a flagship international exchange brand of the Shenzhen Academy of Chinese Culture, “Love Shenzhen” City Walk is dedicated to building bridges for mutual learning among civilizations. According to the academy, it will continue to deepen cultural exchanges between China and other countries through diverse activities.