Performance of Dian cha in Song Dynasty (Photo/ HanKou Tea Expo Organizing Committee)

Gaiwan and Yixing clay tea-pot tea performance (Photo/ HanKou Tea Expo Organizing Committee)

Recently, the Tea Science Class 2101 and 2201 of the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences held the event "Chinese Tea in Calligraphy and Painting" and "Sans Self Tea Gathering" at Lele Park. 

Officials from the School Cultural Office, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, along with Prof. Chen Yuqiong, Prof. Huang Youyi, Lecturer Wang Yu, and students from the Department of Tea Science, attended the event.

Themed "the Fragrance of Tea, the Elegance of Centuries", the event "Chinese Tea in Calligraphy and Painting" recreated the scenes of ancient literati enjoying tea depicted in calligraphy and painting works in various dynasties. The attendees were immersed themselves in the world of tea, feeling its centuries-old fragrance and elegance. 

The event included activities such as experiencing tea acrobatics in Song Dynasty, appreciating tea calligraphy and paintings in Tang Dynasty, evaluating the six types of teas, teaching the art of Gaiwan tea, and enjoying the live calligraphy performances, attracting many faculty members and students to participate on the spot. The event aimed to explore the historical heritage of Chinese tea culture and showcase its influence and contribution to the development of world civilization throughout history. Through tea art performances, scene simulations, and experiential learning, participants were able to experience the charm of tea culture.

The "Sans Self Tea Gathering" was first initiated by Mr. Cai Rongzhang from Taiwan Province in 1990 and has become an international cultural exchange activity promoted by the Lu-Yu Tea Art Center in Taiwan. This event expected to promote tea culture by establishing friendship through tea and appreciating the beauty of tea. It marked the end of a two-week tea art internship for the Tea Science Class 2201.

During the event, more than 640 high school students from Hongshan High School visited HZAU for campus tour. The students from Tea Science Classes skillfully brewed each cup of tea, creating a pleasant tasting experience for the high school participants. Laughter and joy filled the tea gathering. During the break, students also showcased their talents such as playing the guitar and performing aerobics, adding more vibrancy to the occasion.

On the afternoon of April 27, students from the Tea Science Department went beyond the campus to participate in the 13th Wuhan Tea Expo held at the International Convention and Exhibition Center. With the strong support of the Shenzhen Tea Culture Promotion Association, Shenzhen Huajuchen International Exhibition Group Co., Ltd., and Hubei Jingchu Three Tea Culture Creative Co., Ltd., the Tea Science Department showcased various tea culture activities under the theme "Ancient Charm of New Tea, Deep Thoughts in Shizishan". 

These activities demonstrated the elegant brewing of tea in the Tang Dynasty, the intricate process of Dian cha (a tea forth-forming and drawing art) in the Song Dynasty, the fine art of Yixing clay tea-pot (a teapot sculpts from natural clay like purple clay) tea in modern times, the delicate art of Gaiwan (a traditional Chinese teaware, used in the brewing and consumption of tea) tea, and the modern fashion of tea blending. The students of the Tea Science Department showed their skills in the tea art performances, allowing faculties and students to experience the profound cultural heritage of Chinese culture while tasting tea. During the event, students also explained the tea-making process and the significance of different tea varieties on tea quality with fresh tea leaves picked from the HZAU's tea garden.

The Tea Culture Festival organized by the College of Horticulture & Forestry Science has been held for 26 years. This year's festival was jointly organized by the National Popular Science Education Base of the College and the Horticultural Experience Center, and the Tea Science Department. The event aimed to enhance the tea art skills of the students, popularize the basic concepts and knowledge of tea culture, combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, and improve students' cultural literacy, innovative consciousness, organizational coordination ability, as well as their awareness and ability to integrate into society.

Source: https://news.hzau.edu.cn/2024/0507/69621.shtml
Translated by Zuo Yuexiang
Proofread by Zhu Kaiyue
Supervised by Wang Xiaoyan