From June 28 to June 30, the 2019 themed social practice and cultural experience activity "Learning China from china" sponsored by China Scholarship Council and undertaken by JCI was successfully held at the International School at Xianghu campus. More than 70 Chinese Government Scholarship overseas students of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang University, Jiangxi Normal University, Jiangxi Agricultural University and JCI from more than 30 countries participated in the activity.
On the morning of June 29, students visited Jingdezhen China Ceramic Museum
On the morning of June 29, the international students visited Jingdezhen China Ceramic Museum under the guidance of the staff of JCI. Founded in January 1954, Jingdezhen China Ceramic Museum, formerly known as Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum, is the first specialized ceramic museum in China. It is located by the beautiful Changnan Lake. The museum houses more than 30,000 pieces of Neolithic pottery and porcelains of different historical periods since the Han and Tang dynasties (including more than 500 national precious cultural relics), representing the thousand years of Jingdezhen porcelain making history. Those foreign students, under the guidance of teachers of JCI, browsed through the history of the Chinese ceramics. Sometimes they stopped to look at it, and sometimes they marveled at it, being infected by the extensive and profound ceramic culture of China.
Students visited Jingdezhen Ceramic Industrial Park on the afternoon of June 29th
On the afternoon of 29thJune, the students came to Mingfang Garden, the handmade porcelain base of Jingdezhen Ceramics Industrial Park. Professor Yv Xiaoping led the group to famous ceramic enterprises such as Deng Xiping Ceramics Co., Ltd., Zhenshang, RaoYv Ceramic Culture Communication Co., Ltd., and Fengyao Carmine Ceramic Culture Co., Ltd, Jingdezhen Floating Palace Ceramic Culture Co., Ltd. They learned about "the art of high temperature transmutation glaze" and " making and relief skill of king-size ceramic utensils", "the Qingbai ware and life of the Song Dynasty", "famille rose, painting in gold, openwork techniques and Chinese and foreign life" and "modern science and technology and ceramic decoration, ceramic art design and domestic life ". With all kinds of porcelain at different places such as table, hall, study, classroom, the teachers, in fluent English, explained to foreign students Chinese philosophy as to "harmony between man and nature ", "peace in living ", "wealth and reunion” represented by ceramics. Teachers also answered questions in details, which won warm applause from students. While experiencing the production process of modern ceramics in person, international students have a deeper understanding of the close relationship between the progress of ceramic technology and a better life.
In the morning of June 30th, Students experienced the ceramic manual shaping technique in the ceramic art studio of International School
On the morning of 30th, international students came to the ceramic studio of the International School of JCI to experience the ceramic manual shaping techniques. Associate Professor Zhao Xin introduced and demonstrated the basic operation method of ceramic manual shaping, and everyone rolled up their sleeves excitedly. During the nearly three hours of practising, the students learned the basic ceramic forming techniques, such as throwing, coiling and slabbing. In the end, through constant trial and effort, everyone has produced their own unique works by hand.
On the afternoon of June 30th, students experienced blue and white painting in the Ceramic studio of International School of JCI
On the afternoon of June 30th, the students experienced blue and white painting in the ceramic studio. Professor Zhang Jingjing, deputy to the National People's Congress and vice Dean of the International School of JCI, carefully prepared a variety of classic patterns of blue and white painting and demonstrated the basic techniques of blue and white painting. The students couldn’t wait to pick up the brush to paint their own works. Through this course, the students have mastered the basic skills of blue and white painting and successfully completed the creation of their works. Holding their unique works, everyone was filled with pride and sense of achievement. They took photos one after another, looking forward to another opportunity to study and experience ceramic culture in JCI in the future.
In addition, in order to thank China Scholarship Council’s support to the work of overseas students of JCI, Zhang Jingjing organized student representatives to draw maps of their countries on a porcelain plate. Student representatives signed on his country's territory, celebrating the success of the event in this unique way. Later, JCI presented this "porcelain" as a gift to China Scholarship Council.
Ocen Robert, a Ugandan student from JCI, said, "Ceramic art is my major and I'm about to graduate with a master's degree. Blue and white is a traditional Chinese ceramic culture. It is very famous, and very special. I feel so good today to participate in this activity with so many students from different countries. I use porcelain to express my inner feelings. When I feel stressed, I use porcelain to relieve my stress."
Collins-green, a Canadian student from Jiangxi Normal University, participated in the " Learning China from china " activity for the second time. After the activity, he said: "I usually use a brush to make ink paintings on rice paper, but I feel very different today. It’s difficult to draw on the porcelain plate. I admire the ceramic artists in Jingdezhen very much. They have great endurance. It takes seven or eight months to complete a work, so it's not easy."
Sudaly Anto, an Indonesian student from Nanchang University, said, "We visited the China Ceramic Museum and famous ceramic manufacturers in Jingdezhen. I was very shocked by the history, culture and artistic value of Chinese ceramics. I think it's really difficult to draw on porcelain body. If I have the chance, I shall definitely come back to Jingdezhen to study ceramics again."
Saiyang, a Bangladeshi student from Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, said happily, "Jingdezhen is the most famous ceramic city in China, and the blue and white is the best representative of Chinese ceramic culture. This activity is meaningful . I painted my hometown in blue and white to record my childhood memories."
Jackie Chan, a Pakistani student from Jiangxi Agricultural University, said: "I am very happy to learn to make Chinese ceramics. It is a very interesting activity. It gives us an insight into the culture and history of Chinese ceramics. Through this activity, I think we overseas students can introduce the method of making blue and white wares to our own country. Jingdezhen and Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute have played an important role in promoting ceramics to the world."
The social practice and cultural experience activity themed "Learning China from china" has diversified forms and rich contents: from indoors to outdoors, from museum to enterprise park, from visual appreciation to personal experience, It fully demonstrated the characteristics and professional advantages of JCI. During the activity, the overseas students from universities in Jiangxi province had a good understanding of China's long ceramic history and rich ceramic culture, which enhanced their love for Chinese culture. It is the second time for JCI to undertake China Scholarship Council themed activity. It is an innovative measure for International School to implement the Chinese ceramic culture communication program, in responseto the national initiative practice of “The Belt and Road” strategy. It is a positive exploration in telling the story of Jiangxi province and China and spreading China voice to the world.
