More than 40 students and teachers from Australia, America, the Czech Republic, Japan, S. Korea and Laos experienced Cantonese Opera at the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Institute on July 28.

Youth from six countries enjoy Lingnan Culture in Guangdong (Source: Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

The group enjoyed brilliant Cantonese Opera performances, including "Ode to the Litchi", a representative work of the famous artist Hong Xian Nv, and "Three Attempts to Borrow the Palm-leaf Fan", an excerpt from "Journey to the West". After the performance, students learned how to sing like a professional opera performer, use weapons from the show and walk while waving “water sleeves” from traditional costumes.

Youth from six countries experiencing Cantonese Opera. (Photo: Steven Yuen)

“I really enjoy the diverse culture. Looking at all the different foods was really exciting and the museums let me learn about history. I love this region and I really enjoy looking at how different it is in a different country. The people and the culture here are different,” said Mia, a girl from Australia.

Chinese student and foreign students making ceramics together in Foshan. (Source: Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

Over 40 students and teachers from six countries experienced traditional Cantonese culture and modern technologies in Guangdong Province through living with local families in Guangzhou. The activity “2019 Guangdong International Youth Exchange Week” also included over 40 participants from the Affiliated Tianhe School of Guangdong Experimental Middle School, who paired with foreign students during the trip.

During his homestay on July 27, Sam, an Australian student, said that it was a unique opportunity for him to experience a country through living with a local family. When asked to sum up Guangzhou in three words, Mia, another student from Australia, described it as a city filled with “culture, excitement and beauty”.

Youth from six countries enjoyed lion dance in Foshan. (Source: Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

Zhuhai is the next stop of the students’ cultural tour through Guangdong.

Related story:

International youth exchange gears up for friendship between Guangdong and the world

Authors: Hannah Zhou, Steven Yuen

Editor: Chris