"World Speaking" —Warm Gathering at Winter Solstice: Fun Cross-Cultural Talks Between China and Foreign Countries

I. Event Basic Information

Event Date: December 21, 2025

Expected Participants: 4-5 international students in China from different nationalities

Event Time: 3:00 PM

Venue: Room 1208, Block B, Yuhui Building, Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing

II. Core Objectives

Focus on the cross-cultural experience needs of international students, with the Chinese traditional festival "Winter Solstice" as the core and combined with current communication characteristics. Guide international students to share their real experiences of learning about and participating in the Winter Solstice through diverse channels, help them deeply understand the cultural connotations of the Winter Solstice, perceive the differences in the presentation and communication of festivals between China and foreign countries, and enhance their cross-cultural expression and communication skills. Empower international students to become active participants in the cross-cultural communication of traditional festivals, making the Winter Solstice a warm link connecting China and foreign countries.

III. Event Flow and Core Topics

(I) My "First Winter Solstice Experience"

l How did you first learn about the Winter Solstice? Was it through an invitation from Chinese friends, a campus activity, or seeing it in short videos? Was your feeling different from when you first learned about similar winter festivals in your home country?

l When you first heard that people eat dumplings, glutinous rice balls, or have other special customs during the Winter Solstice, did you find it interesting? Did you have an immediate urge to try them?

l Have you ever asked Chinese friends about interesting facts about the Winter Solstice, or looked up introductions yourself? Did you discover any particularly fun points? Compared with the "little surprises" of festivals in your home country, which one surprised you more?

(II) The Beauty of Winter Festivals at Home and Abroad

l Are there any festivals in your home country during winter where people gather with family, eat special foods, or celebrate together? How is the celebration time and atmosphere different from that of the Chinese Winter Solstice?

l During the Chinese Winter Solstice, people love to make dumplings and glutinous rice balls together. Are there any exclusive foods for winter festivals in your home country? Do the "meanings" of these foods (such as representing reunion or keeping warm) have similarities with dumplings and glutinous rice balls?

l How does it feel to celebrate the Winter Solstice in a foreign country compared to celebrating similar festivals in your home country? For example, do you miss your family more, or feel more excited because of the cultural freshness? Is the way of sharing online (posting photos, video calls) also commonly used when celebrating festivals in your home country?

(III) Little Discoveries About the Winter Solstice

l What do you find Chinese people talk about most and care about the most during the Winter Solstice—food, family reunion, or something else? Is this the same as what people in your home country value most about winter festivals?

l Nowadays, there are many interesting forms of content about Winter Solstice customs, such as cartoon introductions and fun short videos. Do you think this can make foreign friends like the Winter Solstice faster? Are festivals in your home country also introduced to foreigners in such interesting ways?

l Do you think any custom of the Winter Solstice is particularly similar to a small tradition in your home country? For example, both emphasizing family reunion or having exclusive festival rituals?

(IV) Be a "Happy Sharer" of the Winter Solstice

l If you were to introduce the Winter Solstice to your family and friends in your home country, what would you say? Would you focus on the food, the customs, or the stories of celebrating with Chinese friends? Would this be different from how you introduce winter festivals in your home country?

l What part of the Winter Solstice do you think is most likely to attract foreign friends? Is it the delicious food, the special customs, or the warmth of family reunion? Are there any commonalities compared with the highlights of festivals in your home country?