From Aug 4 to 13, a summer social practice team from Huazhong Agricultural University's (HZAU) College of Foreign Languages conducted an art and cultural exchange in Switzerland. Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, the team leveraged a variety of creative activities — including song, dance, traditional crafts, and interviews — to foster mutual understanding and bring a youthful energy to the bilateral friendship.

On Aug 5, the team organized a bracelet weaving activity. Members taught participants the easy braid technique, explaining the significance of the chosen colors: blue for Lake Geneva and Chinese porcelain, green for the Alps and Chinese gardens, and red for both the Swiss flag and Chinese culture. One participant, Aisha, proudly showed off her finished bracelet, exclaiming, "I braid hair in my daily life, so weaving this bracelet was very easy for me!"

Later, at the FIFA Museum on Aug 12, team member Yu He introduced cuju, an ancient Chinese ball-kicking game, and explained that it originated more than two millennia ago and is considered a precursor to modern soccer. Participants then used watercolors to decorate cuju balls, incorporating elements like the FIFA logo's blue and yellow, traditional Chinese patterns, and the red and white of the Swiss flag.

The students also conducted interviews with local officials and residents. In a memorable exchange with EU Commissioner Laszlo Andor, students asked how cultural exchanges can be improved in a complex world. He replied that it is essential to promote dialogue and student exchanges, as young people's cultural and political activities can significantly impact some public issues.

Participants engage in the bracelet weaving activity on Aug 5. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]