From August 1
to 7, 2024, the German-Chinese Youth “Root-Seeking Summer Camp” was
successfully concluded in Shandong. Sixteen German-Chinese youths from the Chinese
Language School in Bavaria and the Huayin Chinese Language School in Frankfurt
gathered in the land of Qilu (Shandong Province) to embark on a fascinating
journey of exploring traditional Chinese culture.

Gather in Summer to Begin a Journey of Root-Seeking

On August 1,
the opening ceremony of the summer camp was held at the Shandong Academy of
Chinese Culture. Attendees included Sun Lihai, member of the Party Group and
Vice President of the Shandong Provincial Socialist Academy, Liu Wei,
Second-level Researcher of the United Front Work Department of the Provincial
Party Committee, Xu Yan, Secretary-General of the Provincial International
Talent Exchange Association, Wang Xiao, Executive Vice President of the Zibo
Sino-German Rhein Intelligent Technology School, and all the German-Chinese
teachers and students participating in the camp.

Exploring Confucianism and Understanding Confucian
Culture

In Qufu,
Jining, the campers visited the Nishan Sacredland, the Confucius Museum, and
the “Three Confucian Sites.” Through on-site visits and detailed
explanations, they delved into the essence of Confucius’ thoughts, experiencing
the profound influence and extensive history of Confucian culture.

Encountering National Treasures and Inheriting the
Soul of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Using the
culturally rich land of Jining as a mobile classroom, the campers engaged in
immersive learning experiences, directly experiencing the unique charm of
“intangible cultural heritage” skills and the depth of Chinese
culture. The Zibo Five-Tone Opera Art Heritage Protection Center presented the
campers with an audiovisual feast of the national intangible cultural heritage
project—Five-Tone Opera.

Aiming High and Braving the Summit of Mount Tai

The campers
embarked on their journey from Hongmen Square at Mount Tai, ascending the
steps, enjoying the “Happy Three Miles,” conquering the Eighteen
Bends, and crossing over 7,000 steps to reach the summit of Daiguang Peak.

Visiting Masters and Appreciating the Beauty of
Ceramics

At Shandong
Vocational College of Light Industry, Shandong Province Ceramic Art Master and
black pottery inheritor Qu Bing introduced the campers to black pottery
culture, its production process, and the tools used.

Traveling Through History and Dreaming of a
Century-Old Classroom

The Textbook
Museum, located in the Zibo High-Tech Zone, showcases the learning environments
and textbooks from 1745 to the present, highlighting the evolution from ancient
enlightenment education to modern schools in Chinese civilization; from
literacy classes and the college entrance examination preparation era to the
era of Internet+ Education.

Dialoguing with the Future and Illuminating the Light
of Technology

Through
advanced production lines, intelligent robots, and big data analysis, the
campers witnessed the practical applications of intelligent manufacturing at
the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing Integration Demonstration Base in
Zibo, experiencing the secrets of high-quality “Smart”.

Strolling Through Ancient City and Exploring the
Hometown of Qi

The campers
wandered through the ancient architectural complex of the Zhoucun Ancient
Commercial City, engaging in activities such as tie-dyeing, anti-counterfeiting
security seals, biscuit making, and archery. They experienced the charm of
various cultures, including Lu merchants’ culture and silk culture, while
immersing themselves in the rich historical and cultural landscapes.

A Perfect Conclusion and Returning with Fulfillment

The closing
ceremony of the German-Chinese Youth “Root-Seeking Summer Camp” was
held at the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing Integration Demonstration
Base in Zibo.

On the
afternoon of August 6, 2024, the Chinese Language School in Bavaria and the
Zibo Sino-German Rhein Intelligent Technology School signed an educational and
cultural exchange cooperation agreement, establishing a partnership as sister
schools.