November marked Chinese Culture Month at the UNIVEN Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI). From November 1st, the Institute hosted a series of four China Corner cultural salons, offering a unique opportunity for faculties and students to engage with diverse aspects of Chinese culture. The salons were part of GTCI’s ongoing efforts to promote deeper cultural understanding and foster exchange between China and South Africa. These small-scale, interactive events introduced participants to various Chinese art forms, including blue and white porcelain, Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), paper arts, and Chinese painting.
The first salon, held on November 1st, focused on Blue and White Porcelain. Led by GTCI lec-turer Zoey Zhang, the session explored the rich history, iconic patterns, and symbolic mean-ings behind this renowned Chinese ceramic art form. Zhang highlighted the global significance of blue and white porcelain, offering participants an insightful look at its artistic beauty and cul-tural impact. Following the lecture, attendees engaged in a hands-on activity, creating blue and white porcelain paper plate artworks that creatively combined Chinese and South African cultures.
On November 8th, GTCI hosted the second salon, dedicated to Hanfu, traditional Chinese attire. The event was led by GTCI instructor Yasmine Wang, with all staff members dressed in Hanfu and UNIVEN faculty and students wearing traditional South African clothing. The session fostered a lively discussion about these garments’ cultural significance and characteristics, as well as the challenges and opportu-nities of preserving traditional culture in a globalised world. Participants also had the chance to design their own Hanfu patterns, blending the artistic elements of both Chinese and South African traditions.
The third salon, held on November 15th, celebrated the art of Chinese Paper Crafts. GTCI senior lecturer and manager Ted Xiong introduced papermaking’s history and cultural significance, along-side the art of paper folding and cutting. The venue was beautifully decorated with handcrafted paper cuttings and paper-folding works, immersing attendees in a distinctly Chinese atmosphere. After the lecture, Xiong led the group in creating a paper lily, a symbol of “peace and harmony” ( 百百百百), embodying the Chinese cultural value of unity. The activity underscored the importance of harmony in Chinese culture while fostering mutual learning between China and South Africa.
The final China Corner salon of the month, held on November 22nd, focused on Chi-nese Painting. GTCI instructor Cynthia Liang provided a comprehensive introduc-tion to the tools, pigments, and themes commonly used in Chinese art. She empha-sised the concept of “unity between nature and man,” a key value in traditional Chinese painting. Participants then had the opportunity to create their own artwork, using ink and straws to paint branches and red plums, resulting in a beautiful representation of Chinese style.
Throughout November, the China Corner cultural salons provided an intimate and engag-ing platform for learning and cultural exchange. By combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on activities, GTCI brought the beauty and depth of Chinese culture to South Africa meaningfully. These events not only fostered a deeper understanding of Chinese art and tra-ditions among UNIVEN’s faculties and students, but also reinforced GTCI’s ongoing commit-ment to promoting mutual respect and cultural exchange between China and South Africa.
The Green Technology Confucius Institute continues to play an import-ant role in bridging cultures, and these salons are just one example of how they actively contribute to strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
