9th April was the last day for French teachers and students to stay and learn in Anqing Foreign Language School. From 5th to 8th April, Anqing Foreign Language School prepared rich& colorful courses for French students, who progressed a lot from Chinese classes in the morning and other unique activity lessons full of Chinese& Anqing characteristics. Other than that, they were most impressed by Chinese language& culture. Also, French students formed profound affections for their home-stay families during these days. Upon the arrival of departure, on the morning of 9th April, Anqing Foreign Language School carried out a splendid art performance in terms of Sino-French Teenagers’ Cultural Exchange for French teachers& students as well as our school’s home-stay families.
8.30 A.M. marked the beginning of the art performance, the hosts of which were two ethnic Chinese, responsible for Mandarin and French translations respectively. Before the event, Anqing Foreign Language School’s President Madam Huang Wenli issued a keynote speech in which she spoke highly of French students’ remarkable performance in China. In addition, Madam President expressed her thanks to home-stay parents for their meticulous care. In the meantime, Madam President stated that we would organize a return visit in Marseilles, France for teachers& students in our school in appropriate time. President Madam Huang Wenli’s speech was translated into French synchronously with ardent applause from Chinese& French teachers and students in addition to our school’s parents, who all expected reunion after this parting.
Teachers& students from France and China performed together in the art show, which consists of 15 programs. On the one hand, performances of our school not only possess distinct Chinese& Anqing characteristics, such as folk music instrumental ensemble, Huang Mei Opera and Chinese martial arts, but also were full of Anqing Foreign Language School’s features, for example, a French song performed by Dong Weijia from Grade 9 of the east campus. On the other hand, French students’ programs were also multitudinous and brilliant. In a word, this grand event was a hard-won opportunity for students from Anqing Foreign Language School and French middle schools with regard to artistic exchange& Sino-French cultural blend.
After the art performance, Principal Mr. Formaggio Remi from Sylvain Middle School and Vice President Mrs. Boukheroufa Nora from Pierre Middle School in Marseilles, France proceeded addresses separately, presenting souvenirs to Anqing Foreign Language School. Furthermore, French principals expressed gratitude for their tour in Anqing& Anqing Foreign Language School and showed sincere thanks to our school for elaborate arrangements& services as well as home-stay families for their hospitality. Both principals welcomed our teachers& students to pay a return visit in Marseilles, France. Meanwhile, Anqing Foreign Language School presented T-shirts and other souvenirs to all French teachers& students, after which we took a group photo to mark the occasion.
Last but not the least, French teachers& students arrived at our school’s refectory after the fantastic art show. They tried making Chinese dumplings. Despite the fact that they lacked experience in this, they were eagerly interested and made nice-looking& yummy Chinese dumplings swiftly under the guidance of master workers in the refectory. French teachers& students tasted rich flavors with their hand-made dumplings. More noticeably, Anqing Foreign Language School prepared fancy lunch for them, who left our school by bus after the luncheon and were supposed to arrive in the capital city Beijing to continue their tour in China.
May a favorable wind send them home safely!