[Video/Changning district]

The Gubei Community in Changning district, hailed as Shanghai's first large-scale, high-standard international community, has been affectionately dubbed a "mini United Nations" due to its diverse foreign population. Since its establishment in 2013, the Gubei Civic Center has introduced courses on Chinese traditional culture, offering lessons in Chinese language, musical instruments, and Chinese opera, providing a wide range of activities for both local and international residents.

Zhu Qiuyi, a Chinese language teacher, engaged international students in lively discussions about Chinese characters on March 29, focusing on everyday topics such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

On the same day, Roberto Murgado, an international student at Donghua University, began learning to play the guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither, at the center. With a passion for music, he hopes the course will deepen his understanding of Chinese musical traditions.

At the Kunqu Pengpai Art Research Center within the community, Kunqu Opera promoter Zhao Jinyu welcomed a special guest — Andreas Zimmermann, a renowned European opera director. Zimmermann praised the beauty of Kunqu, highlighting its rich narratives and deep cultural roots in Chinese history, noting that its Eastern inspirations will fuel his continuous innovations in theatrical productions.

By engaging deeply with the richness of traditional Chinese culture, these expats serve as cultural bridges, fostering deeper exchanges between China and the global community.

Source: Shanghai Observer