Study room for comparative learning of Chinese and Belarusian traditional folk cultures opened at BSU
A study room for comparative learning of Chinese and Belarusian traditional folk cultures was solemnly opened at the Belarusian State University with the participation of the university administration, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belarus, representatives of the Chinese Culture Centre in Minsk, and the Association of Organisations of Chinese Compatriots Huaqiao – as reported in the BSU press service
The symbolic ribbon was cut by BSU First Vice Rector Dmitry Kurlovich and the responsible person of the Department for Science, Education and Culture of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus Jia Wei.
Dmitry Kurlovich thanked the Chinese partners for their assistance in opening the study room and noted that such an initiative is another important step in strengthening friendly relations and developing an understanding of the cultures of both nations. Jia Wei continued this idea, noting that the number of Chinese students in Belarus is growing every year, indicating to a reliable strategic partnership and trust between the countries.
“The study room begins its work in the Year of Peace and Creation, and folklore and folk culture are the source of the peaceful desire to work for the good of one’s own Motherland, to preserve traditions and family values, and to respect elders. It is with all these qualities that the peoples of Belarus and China are similar,” underlined Irina Kazakova, Professor at the Department of the History of Belarusian Literature of the BSU Philology Faculty.
According to the university, the study room will become a unique platform for the development of scientific interaction between scientists, teachers and students of the two countries. In particular, this refers to joint research in the field of culture and folklore of Belarus and China. A team has already been formed to work on the creation of an electronic reader on the folklore of Belarus in Belarusian and Chinese.
“The new study room is multifunctional, being equipped with modern multimedia devices,” the university emphasises. “Thematic literature in Belarusian, Chinese and English is also presented here, a fund of audio and video materials dedicated to the culture of the two countries has been collected. It is noteworthy that there is a documentary film – Belarus through the Eyes of the Chinese – created by Zhang Hongshan, Associate Professor of the Department of Chinese Philology of the BSU Philology Faculty. The film is dedicated to the sights of the Belarusian land. There are also unique items in the office, including a silk cloth depicting folklore rituals and features of the Beijing region, authentic types of Belarusian and Chinese embroidery, national clothes, exhibits representing the life and crafts of the two peoples.
On the opening day, a cultural programme was prepared for the guests. The musical compositions were performed by the master playing the national Chinese instrument: guzheng (also known as Chinese zither). There were master classes in calligraphy and making cornflowers, as well as a real tea drinking ceremony and tasting of Chinese and Belarusian cuisine. The event was organised by the Faculty of Philology of BSU.
