Recently, the primary section of Shanghai French School (Yangpu Campus) held a New Year celebration. The event featured lively dragon and lion dances, impressive martial arts performances, melodious guqin (ancient Chinese zither) music, and romantic Sino-French choir performances. This joyful celebration not only added a rich festive spirit to the Spring Festival but also served as a vivid example of Sino-French cultural exchange.

On the morning of the event, nearly 300 students and teachers from the Chinese International Class gathered in the school's gymnasium. Many parents were also attracted to the venue to witness this grand celebration of cultural fusion. "We spent about two months planning and preparing for this event, hoping to introduce our traditional culture to French students, parents, and colleagues, and let them experience the excitement of the Spring Festival celebration," said Mou Yimei, a primary school teacher at Shanghai French School.

Shanghai French School, an international community with over 1,360 students from more than 40 countries, is uniquely founded on the close cooperation between France and China. It serves as a bridge between the two civilizations, providing high-quality French education for French and international students while also promoting cross-cultural exchanges and planting the seeds of multiculturalism in every child's heart.

On the day of the event, the gymnasium was instantly filled with a festive atmosphere following the principal's enthusiastic New Year speech. A spectacular dragon and lion dance performance then took center stage. The professional performers, dressed in gorgeous costumes, delivered a stunning display of traditional Chinese art, earning rounds of applause and cheers from the audience. This performance not only celebrated the Spring Festival but also vividly demonstrated the friendship between China and France, allowing every viewer to deeply appreciate the charm of Chinese culture.

Subsequently, the high school choir took the stage to perform The Brightest Star in the Night Sky. With their pure and infectious voices, they sang a hymn to Sino-French friendship, demonstrating the deep bonds between students transcending national boundaries. The Chinese martial arts performance that followed brought the atmosphere to a climax. The strong and graceful movements showcased the power and beauty of martial arts, conveying the resilience of Chinese culture.

The guqin, a cultural treasure with a history of thousands of years, also shone brightly during the event. Teachers from the international class, with their exquisite skills, played melodious tunes that transported the audience back through the centuries, allowing them to feel the ancients' transcendent tranquility and detachment. The water-sleeve dance was another highlight, with performers in light costumes and flowing sleeves moving gracefully like flowing clouds and water. This performance fully displayed the elegance and agility of traditional Chinese dance, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Finally, the primary school children concluded the event with a choral performance - The First Day of the Lunar New Year. Their innocent voices, like a ray of sunshine in winter, were warm and full of hope. They not only expressed their anticipation for the New Year but also conveyed the depth and longevity of Sino-French friendship. Néo and Alexandre, two students from the Grade 4 Chinese International Class at Shanghai French School, proudly showed their New Year costumes with embroidered "Fu" characters symbolizing good fortune during an interview. "We've celebrated the New Year in China several times. Our family hangs lanterns, eats dumplings, and receives red envelopes. It's very joyful," they said.

Amidst laughter and joy, the New Year celebration at Shanghai French School came to a successful close. The event not only deepened the students' understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese culture but also served as a successful practice of Sino-French cultural exchange. It allowed the seeds of Sino-French friendship to take root and blossom in the hearts of every child.