A group photo
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) of the University of Macau (UM), in collaboration with the School of Linguistic Sciences and Arts of Jiangsu Normal University (JSNU) and the Faculty of Humanities of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), organised the Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao University Students’ Chinese Classics Recital Show. The event received over 350 entries from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, and two UM students won the ‘Best Recitation Award’ and the ‘Sparkling Youth Award’ respectively.
Out of the 350 entries, 30 works from 19 institutions, including UM, PolyU, JSNU, the Communication University of China, Beijing Film Academy, and Shanghai Theatre Academy, were selected for the show. The participants came from diverse academic backgrounds, including the arts, sciences, engineering, and medicine. Chen Hailun, a student from the Faculty of Business Administration and Cheng Yu Tung College at UM, won the ‘Best Recitation Award’ for her performance of ‘Ai Lian Shuo’ (Ode to the Lotus), while Chen Ruoqing, a student from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College at UM, won the ‘Sparkling Youth Award’ for her performance of ‘Ban Jie Pi Dai’ (Half a Belt).
The show, themed ‘Reciting Ancient and Modern Classics, Inheriting Chinese Culture, and Celebrating the Spirit of the Times’, was held at UM for its Macao edition. Xu Jie, dean of FAH; Li Ping, dean of the Faculty of Humanities of PolyU; and Yang Yiming, chair of the Academic Committee of JSNU and director of the National Language Promotion Base, delivered speeches on behalf of the three organisers respectively. Dean Xu said in his speech that Chinese classics are a remarkable cultural heritage and an inexhaustible source of spiritual wealth. While Chinese classics are deeply rooted in China, they hold significance for the whole world and should be cherished, especially in today’s globalised, information-driven era. He added that the event had great significance, as it served as a platform for students and faculty from JSNU, PolyU, and UM to exchange ideas, promote cooperation, and strengthen friendships.
During the show, students from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao presented over ten captivating performances at the Black Box Theatre in FAH. These included dance performances with dancers dressed in various ethnic costumes, group recitations of the Classic of Poetry, a poetry slam, and the award-winning performance ‘Half a Belt’ by a UM student. As a special guest, Jeremy De Chavez, associate professor in the Department of English of FAH, recited the poem ‘Qiang Jin Jiu’ (Bring in the Wine) by Chinese poet Li Bai in both Chinese and English.
Dean Xu highly praised the professional and outstanding performances of the students, and expressed hope for further exchanges and cooperation among students and faculty in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. The participating students and faculty also visited Cheng Yu Tung College, the University Gallery, and the UM Wu Yee Sun Library to deepen exchanges.
Since its inception in 2021, the show has provided a platform for university students from Jiangsu, Hong Kong, and Macao who are passionate about recitation and Chinese culture. It aims to promote Chinese culture, and encourage university students to study ancient and modern classics, and improve their language proficiency and cultural literacy.
Xu Jie
