Under one moon, cultures come together

Nestled along China's historic Grand Canal, Yangliuqing Ancient Town in Tianjin was draped in festive red lanterns and Mid-Autumn decorations on Sept 15. It played host to 120 contestants from 101 countries for a themed poetry gala, a cultural side event of the 19th Chinese Bridge — Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students.

The immersive day gave young Chinese-language learners from five continents a firsthand taste of traditional Chinese festivals and intangible cultural heritage.

The town was fully decked out for the occasion. Stalls lined the flagstone lanes showcasing Yangliuqing woodblock prints and paper-cutting, two of Tianjin's most celebrated intangible cultural heritages. Contestants tried their hand at traditional games like touhu (pitchpot) and gathered to watch live performances of Peking Opera, classical dance, kuaiban (clapper talk) and acrobatics.

At the center of the day was a specially commissioned paper-cut artwork crafted by Hao Guifen and her daughter Yang Yang. Hao is a representative inheritor of Yangliuqing paper-cutting, a Tianjin municipal-level intangible cultural heritage item. The pair spent six weeks creating the piece to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chinese Bridge program.

The intricate red work blends classic Chinese motifs — peonies, auspicious clouds and white doves — with iconic Tianjin landmarks, including the Huangyaguan Great Wall, the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel and the Yangliuqing memorial arch. At its center stand figures of young people representing the five continents, framed by the Chinese Bridge logo and a woven Chinese knot.

"Yangliuqing paper-cutting relies on fine engraving knives, not just scissors. A large piece takes dozens of different blades," Hao explained.

"The most challenging part was recreating the patterns on the memorial arch. The original stone carvings are so intricate that I had to simplify and adapt them for paper-cutting. That section alone took five days."

Hao lives with a long-standing spinal condition that makes prolonged detailed work painful. She often works late at night when her shop is quiet, standing for hours as she works on large pieces that are difficult to reach across.

"You cannot rush this craft. Every line has to be steady and have room to breathe," she said.

Her daughter Yang is the sixth-generation inheritor of the craft. She now teaches paper-cutting in local schools and helps run the family studio.

"Old traditions must be kept alive, but they also need to reach young people, both in China and overseas," Yang said.

The contestants then joined Hao and Yang in putting the final touches on the anniversary piece. Some held the red paper steady, others brushed away tiny scraps, and some made their first tentative cuts under Hao's guidance.

"I thought it would be simple, but it's so precise. Thank you for teaching me so patiently," said Divsha Jharittaya from Mauritius.

That evening, the hands-on encounter with paper-cutting gave way to another form of cultural exchange: poetry. With the full moon as a theme, contestants explored distance, family and reunion through classic Chinese verse.

Quentin Vuletich from New Zealand recited two lines by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (701-762). "We see the ancient moon no more. But it has shone on men of yore," he said, adding that the poem made him miss his family back home and reflect on the vastness of the universe and humanity's small place within it.

For Harry John Elston from the United Kingdom, the moon offered a different cultural perspective.

"In old European folklore, a full moon is often tied to mystery, fear and madness," he said. "But in Chinese culture, the moon is a friend, a reminder of home and family."

For Inthavong Hongphakdy from Laos, the connection was more personal, as he saw parallels between Mid-Autumn traditions and customs at home.

"In Laos, we also gather to admire the moon and pray for family reunion. It's the same wish for happiness and togetherness."

He said the day had given him a deeper understanding of the culture behind the language he studies.

"Before, we only used Chinese to search for knowledge about China online," Hongphakdy said. "Through this Chinese Bridge experience, we can feel China's profound culture and long history directly, with our own eyes and hands."

Wang Wei, Ma Qiran and Wang Yin contributed to this story.