Changsha, November 25, 2025 – The International Education School of Hunan College of Foreign Studies (HCFS) recently hosted a unique Chinese Corner event titled “Elegance of the Lacquer Fan, Painting Cultural Chapters.” The event brought together international students and faculty to immerse themselves in and experience the traditional Chinese art of lacquer fan creation.

The activity served as a vibrant bridge for intercultural dialogue. It began with a bilingual presentation on the history and cultural significance of lacquer fans. Following this, participants from around the world became artisans themselves. They gently dipped plain fans into water infused with floating lacquer pigments, observing as vibrant colors blossomed into marbled patterns on the surface. Each lift revealed a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Students naturally infused their own cultural sensibilities into their creations. A student from North Africa employed ochre red and gold to outline a majestic desert sunset, while a participant from Central Asia juxtaposed shades of green and white, as if capturing the verdant slopes and snowy peaks of the Tianshan Mountains on the fan’s surface.

The event culminated in a striking visual display, with nearly a hundred lacquer fans unfurled simultaneously, resembling a flowing scroll of diverse cultures. This successful initiative underscores HCFS’s commitment to moving beyond language learning by providing immersive, hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage. It allowed students to appreciate the intricacies of traditional Chinese craftsmanship while fostering mutual understanding and friendship through shared artistic creation.