XLIS Secondary School Celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year

“New Year, Old Memories: Voices of Liangjiatan”

 

Red couplets and ink fragrance remain unchanging colors of millennia; digital blessings surge like waves of the times. When the New Year meets youth, tradition gains the strokes of youth. In February 2026, the 8th Secondary Chinese Speech Contest at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School warmly commenced at the Blue Dragon Theater. Under the theme “New Year, Old Memories,” twelve selected students took the stage. They fished for cultural memories in the river of language and illuminated thoughts on the canvas of the times.

 

What is the taste of the New Year? Is it the smoke from the kitchen stove, the reunion in front of screens, or the heart-fluttering sense of ritual that transcends mountains and seas? In an era where globalization intertwines with local identity, the New Year is not just a mark of time, but also a coordinate of cultural identity and emotional belonging.

 

This speech contest encouraged students to explore from four dimensions:“Modern transformation of tradition”，“Memory and identity construction”，“New interpretations of time”and “Cultural dialogue and fusion,” breathing life into ancient customs through personal life experiences. On stage, contestants intertwined sincere narratives with rational reflection, weaving captivating cultural images:

 

“Technology has changed the medium but never diluted the density of blessings passed down through generations.”

“The taste of the New Year is not just the bustle of the festival, but the mutual care of family across distances.”

“True cultural understanding begins with listening without preconceptions.”

“Making new clothes for time” cherishes those aimless chats, chance encounters, and quiet companionship during the New Year.

“What is new is not time, but how we experience it.”

 

After rigorous evaluation by the judging panel across multiple dimensions—depth of thought, emotional impact, linguistic expression, and cultural insight—the winners of this year’s contest were announced:

 

Chinese Language and Literature Winners

Champion: 

Jingyue (Joy) Wang

Runner-up: 

Shuwen (Sunny) Yang

Wenxing (Wency) Hu

Third Place: 

Qinshan (Olivia) Yu

Shuman (Amanda) Du

Xichun (Catherine) Zhang

 

Chinese Language Acquisition Winners

Champion: 

Ali (Ali) Shirvani

Runner-up: 

Chomi (Chomi) Park

Henry Zhanming (Henry) Cui

Third Place: 

Paul (Yijun Kim)

Wisam (Wisam) Alhseinat

Dongkeon (Leo) Lee

 

Though the speeches have ended, the reflections continue. In her closing remarks, Principal Dr. Liu Li said: “Cultural inheritance is not about replicating specimens of the past, but about revitalizing it with the life of the present. Today, in the students’ stories, we heard the pulse of tradition and saw the light of the future.”

 

“Bridging Heritage, Inspiring Futures” – 2026 Chinese New Year Culture Fair

As the Spring Festival approaches, the XLIS campus is once again filled with the vibrant atmosphere of Chinese New Year. This year’s Cultural Experience Day centered around the theme of “Regional Cultures,” leading our community on a cultural journey across the diverse landscapes of China. From the southwest to the northwest, and from the Jiangnan region to northern China, students immersed themselves in the richness and charm of traditional Chinese culture, taking part in a unique and unforgettable cultural feast.

 

The event featured a variety of culturally rich experience workshops, each highlighting distinct regional characteristics. The Yunnan tie-dye workshop, with its unique patterns and colors, attracted many students to try their hand at this traditional craft. Through the process of dyeing fabric, they experienced the ingenuity and warmth embedded in this age-old technique. The Shaanxi shadow puppetry workshop brought stories to life through the interplay of light and shadow, allowing students to appreciate the lively beauty of this folk art as they manipulated the puppets or watched the performances. The sachet-making workshop, inspired by traditions from Qingyang, Gansu, was filled with delightful fragrances, as small sachets carried blessings and cultural symbolism. Jiangsu embroidery showcased the delicacy and elegance of Jiangnan craftsmanship, with every stitch reflecting remarkable skill. The Peking Opera mask-painting workshop was a burst of vibrant colors, where students learned about character traits and theatrical culture while designing their own masks. The Guangdong dim sum and tea art workshop allowed students to explore the cultural significance of “food and etiquette,” experiencing the aesthetic of Lingnan lifestyle through tasting and learning. 

Additionally, NPC-led games and cultural interactive activities were held throughout the event. These diverse and engaging challenges allowed students to learn through participation and experience the charm of culture firsthand.

 

A point of particular merit is that the entire Chinese New Year celebration was spearheaded by a team of secondary student directors and organizers, who undertook the leadership, planning, innovation, organization, and execution of the event. With the full support and assistance of the secondary school Chinese teachers, this initiative not only continued the tradition of student-led activities but also further enhanced students’ leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. It encouraged broader student involvement in the planning and organizational process, allowing participants to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture through hands-on experience, thereby transforming classroom learning into real-world application.

 

As the new year begins, culture remains evergreen. Xi’an Liangjiatan International School remains committed to building an educational bridge connecting China and the world. From a diverse international faculty to activities encouraging deep cultural engagement, guiding students to carry forward the excellence of traditional Chinese culture through exploration and experience, ensuring that the beauty of culture thrives and endures through exchange and engagement.

 

We believe that one of education’s missions is to nurture future storytellers and creators who are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage while embracing a global perspective.

 

Click here for more details.

 

Author: Secondary Chinese Team