On November 30, more than twenty students and teachers from Borupgaard Gymnasium in Denmark visited the China Cultural Center in Copenhagen to immerse themselves in the essence of both ancient and modern Chinese life and listen to the Chinese stories of Beijing and Shanghai.
The students began their journey at the Cultural center’s tea room, experiencing the art of Chinese tea. Building upon the previous “Tea For Harmony ” Yaji events, the Cultural Center innovatively presented two tea ceremonies. The first, a homage to ancient times, showcased the ceremonial tea-drinking practices of the Song Dynasty (960–1279), radiating classical Chinese aesthetics. The second, representing the contemporary, highlighted tea-drinking as an indispensable aspect of modern Chinese daily life. These two tea ceremonies seamlessly connected the philosophical and aesthetic threads of Chinese life from ancient to modern times, offering the students a transcendent cultural experience.
Additionally, the students explored the exhibition “Shanghai in My Mind” currently on display in the center’s gallery. This thematic exhibition allowed them to feel the unique charm of Shanghai, an international metropolis skillfully blending traditional Eastern charm with modern Western influences.
Following this, Director Zheng Wen invited the students into the digital exhibition Gallery of the China Cultural Center in Copenhagen. In this virtual world, they toured the “Capturing the Moment of 798” photography exhibition, gaining insights into the urban transformation of Beijing reflected through the lens of 798 Art District. Both offline and online exhibitions presented the students with a “Tale of Two Cities,” offering a glimpse into the rapid development and societal changes in China.
To ensure a vivid portrayal of China for these Danish students, the center’s team meticulously designed the activities. From the ancient-modern dialogue of tea culture to the interactive presentation of the Beijing-Shanghai dual-city exhibition, the students deeply felt that China is not only a historically rich ancient civilization but also a contemporary powerhouse radiating modernity, design, and a forward-looking perspective.
