On December 17, 2023, a cross-cultural activity about Beijing Opera was jointly hosted by MEM Education Center and International Master Program of Department of Industrial Engineering. This brought together both international students and Chinese MEM students, aiming to bridge cultural gaps, and learn about Chinese traditions.

Group photo

The activity commenced with a comprehensive introduction of Beijing Opera knowledge by and expert of it. Students learned about the five distinctive roles in Beijing Opera, Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo, Chou, including their age, psychology, and profession, as well as the symbolism of colors in the characters' facial makeup. Students were then engaged in a hands-on session, immersing themselves in this unique art by painting facial makeups matching to different roles. This experience allowed students to appreciate the precision and skill required in creating the vibrant and symbolic facial makeups.

Students painting the facial makeups of Beijing Opera

“The Beijing Opera workshop was an incredibly captivating experience, offering me a fantastic introduction to this traditional art form. One of the workshop's highlights was the mask painting segment, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It beautifully showed the various character types we had just been introduced to. I found it fascinating to discover the plenty of meanings associated with different colors, especially regarding their significance in comparison with my own culture.”

——Pierrick Bougault(陈乔治), 2022 GM Program

One of the highlights was when two students, representing Chinese student and international student, were selected to don the two traditional and gorgeous Beijing Opera costumes, instantly transporting them into the world of classical Chinese theater. The instructor assisted two students to change into their costumes while explaining to everyone each piece of the costume and how to dress the costume properly.

“As I wore the Beijing Opera costume, felt like stepping into a living history book. The silky layers, filled with stories in every stitch, embrace me like a warm hug from the past. It feels like a cherished connection to the greatness of Chinese culture and understood more about this amazing work-of-art.”

——Fredrick Kashumba(雷凯), 2023 IMEM Program

Two students dressed in the Beijing Opera costumes

At the last session, the rest of the students can’t wait to dress in the traditional costumes to experience the art of Beijing Opera. Guided by the instructors, students learnt the vocalization and gestures of Beijing Opera, emulating the distinct sound and figure of the roles. The activity concluded with students’ repeated practices and a group photo, showcasing their enthusiasm for this experience.

Students studying the Beijing Opera

As the students embraced the opportunity to master the art, laughter and camaraderie filled the room, fostering a sense of unity among the students with diverse backgrounds. Students expressed their enthusiasm and satisfaction in this culturally enriching activity. Moreover, it not only provided an opportunity for cultural exchange, but also served as a platform for students to forge meaningful connections through a shared appreciation of traditional Chinese performing arts. In an increasingly globalized world, such initiatives are crucial for nurturing and embracing cultural awareness and appreciation.

Writers: Ibtisam Ahmed Khan, Rui Lu

Photographers: Rui Lu, Lijuan Wen

Reviewers: Liang Ma, Lefei Li