Skillful Hands: Unfolding the Narrative Thread; The Elegance of Intangible Cultural Heritage Celebrates the Qixi Festival 

The Qixi Festival is a time of cherished affection and enduring bonds. To preserve and promote China's outstanding traditional culture and deepen cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and the world, the school meticulously organized a folk custom experience activity themed "Qiqiao" on the day of the festival. Ma Xiue, the intangible cultural heritage inheritor of "Ma Family Qiaobing," was specially invited to the campus, where she guided both domestic and international students in an immersive experience of traditional intangible cultural heritage crafts, allowing them to celebrate this cherished Chinese festival amidst the warmth and elegance of everyday life.

At the event, Ms.Ma Xiue provided a detailed explanation of the historical origins, cultural significance, and crafting techniques behind the Qiqiao cookies, personally demonstrating the entire production process—including kneading the dough, pressing the cookies into molds, and shaping them—while vividly sharing the craftsmanship and ingenuity inherent in this intangible cultural heritage craft. One by one, these beautifully crafted Qiqiao cookies, each carrying heartfelt wishes for the Qixi Festival, were shaped by her skilled hands, fully showcasing the unique charm of traditional folk customs. Students from both China and abroad listened attentively to her explanations and participated in hands-on activities, experiencing the warmth of this intangible cultural heritage through the simple acts of kneading and pressing, and immersing themselves in the profound cultural significance of China's traditional festivals.

Following the Qiqiao pastry-making workshop, an interactive dumpling-making activity was held. Students from China and abroad gathered together, working together in a collaborative spirit—helping one another and learning from each other as they seamlessly rolled out the wrappers, filled the dumplings, and folded them; the atmosphere was lively and friendly. While language may create barriers, joy knows no bounds; amidst the warm, bustling ambiance, the students exchanged stories about the festive traditions of various cultures and shared their insights into these cultural experiences. Through this hands-on activity, they strengthened their bonds with one another, making the traditional Chinese festival culture feel more vivid and tangible.

Using intangible cultural heritage as a medium and culinary traditions as a bridge, this event not only allowed international students to gain a profound appreciation of the rich folk culture of Shandong Province but also further promoted the dynamic preservation and dissemination of China's outstanding traditional culture. The university has consistently upheld its fundamental mission of fostering moral integrity and nurturing talent, deepening its commitment to cultural education, and actively integrating traditional festival culture into campus life and classroom teaching. By continuously expanding channels for cultural exchange between China and the world, the university strengthens the cultural confidence of its young students through mutual cultural engagement and builds a cultural bridge that fosters understanding and integration among young people from China and around the globe.