With the coming of the Chinese New Year, one of Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s biggest events is also just around the corner. The annual YCIS Beijing Temple Fair will be held on February 6 and promises to yet again be one of the highlights of the school year!

Featuring traditional Chinese performances, handicrafts, games and snacks, the Temple Fair also provides an opportunity for students to showcase their Chinese culture and language learning to the greater Beijing expat community.

Chinese Coordinators, and lead Temple Fair organisers, Jessica Sun and April Peng share more information about the upcoming activity, including the increased role of student leadership in this year’s celebration.

A Chance to Lead

This year’s Temple Fair will see a number of changes from in years past, most significantly being that students will now take a leading role in the day’s performances. In past years, a professional troupe was invited to perform for the school, putting on routines such as Peking Opera and Face Changing shows. This year, however, Secondary students have spent weeks planning and rehearsing for their own Dragon Dance and Traditional Chinese Clothing Fashion Show.

Meanwhile, students have also been busy preparing booths to set up in the gymnasium that will feature games, food and handicrafts – all of which can be included as a part of their International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgramCAS requirements. After the Temple Fair concludes, students will then write reflections on their experience, including what they were able to teach younger students, and what they learned themselves.

Key Takeaways

In addition to learning about Chinese culture, one of the key takeaways for students is to develop an appreciation for the importance of commitment. If students want to achieve something in life, they should understand the commitment involved.

During the Temple Fair, students will need to remain positive and energetic for the entire day, interacting with many children and parents. Though it can be challenging to stand all day and communicate with people from a vast range of cultures and ages, students made the commitment to put on an event that will resonate with the YCIS Beijing community long into the future. Many things in life that create the biggest impact first require a great amount of dedication and commitment. We hope that students will come to understand and appreciate this.

The More the Merrier

Next month’s Temple Fair is open to YCIS Beijing parents, as well as to the wider Beijing expat community. As many families travel during the Spring Festival holiday and may not be able to attend a traditional Temple Fair outside in Beijing, they can still come to visit the YCIS Beijing Temple Fair, as it will be held the week before the New Year holiday.

The Temple Fair is a valuable activity for students and the greater expat community because it gives them an authentic Beijing experience. The fact that they can experience this kind of atmosphere and enjoy the activities, games, and snacks that Chinese people do is valuable for broadening their horizons. Learning through experience is one of the most effective ways of learning, and one that we strive to offer our students on a regular basis here at the YCIS Beijing.