Mandarin Day at Harapan Bangsa Junior and Senior High School Modernhill

On March 20, 2025, from 7:10 to 9:50 a.m., Harapan Bangsa Junior and Senior High School Modernhill successfully held its annual Mandarin Day event. This year's event focused on traditional Chinese arts, featuring various cultural experience projects, including Chinese paper cutting, Beijing opera mask painting, Chinese woodblock painting, Chinese knot tying, paper fan painting, and traditional Chinese brush painting (Guohua).

Through these rich and diverse activities, students were able to explore the depth of Chinese culture through hands-on experiences, while also building confidence in their cultural identity.

After the opening of the event, students from each class went to their assigned stations according to their groups and enthusiastically participated in the traditional art activities.

Chinese Paper Cutting: Under the guidance of teachers, students learned the basic techniques of paper cutting, carefully crafting meaningful patterns symbolizing good fortune—such as the character “福” (fu – meaning fortune), window decorations, and zodiac animals. Their works were both beautiful and creative.

Beijing Opera Mask Painting: After learning the history and color symbolism of Beijing opera masks, students painted unique and expressive designs on their masks, showcasing the distinctive charm of this traditional art form.

Chinese Woodblock Painting: Students tried out painting techniques on wooden boards, experiencing the blend of traditional artistry with modern creativity. Their artworks conveyed a strong oriental essence.

Chinese Knot Tying: Students learned the basic techniques of traditional knot-making, patiently crafting intricate designs such as the double coin knot and peace knot, appreciating the delicate beauty of Chinese handmade art.

Paper Fan Painting: Students creatively painted traditional elements such as landscapes, flowers, and birds on blank paper fans, transforming them into valuable art pieces.

Chinese Brush Painting (Guohua): Using brush and ink, students practiced the unique brush techniques and expressive qualities of Chinese ink wash painting, vividly showcasing its distinctive charm.

After more than two hours of engaging work, students completed their creations. Whether it was paper cutting, mask painting, woodblock painting, or ink painting, each piece reflected the students’ effort, creativity, and growing appreciation for Chinese culture.

The event atmosphere was lively, with frequent interactions between teachers and students. Everyone spent a meaningful and enriching morning full of learning and cultural exchange.

This Mandarin Day not only enhanced students' artistic appreciation and practical skills but also deepened their understanding of the beauty of Chinese culture. Many students expressed that they gained a deeper insight into traditional Chinese art and looked forward to more cultural experience opportunities in the future.

After the event concluded, judges reviewed the students’ creations and announced the top three winners in each category to recognize their excellent work and creative spirit.

This year's Mandarin Day event concluded successfully.

Thank you to everyone who participated!