Dragon dances aren’t just for Lunar New Year parades anymore! 🐉✨ Over 50 international students from 14 countries, including France, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Colombia, recently swapped textbooks for dragon puppets at Nanjing Agricultural University. The event transformed the campus gym into a rainbow of cultural exchange as participants learned the art of synchronized dragon dancing ahead of the Year of the Loong.
“It’s like a giant, breathing caterpillar made of fabric!” laughed Maria from Colombia as she helped maneuver the 15-meter-long dragon. Coaches taught teams to coordinate every flick of the dragon’s tail and nod of its bejeweled head – a tradition symbolizing unity and prosperity. 🎎💫
The activity also featured workshops about the dragon’s significance in Chinese culture. “This isn’t the fire-breathing Smaug from *Lord of the Rings*,” explained student organizer Li Wei. “In China, dragons represent wisdom and good luck – perfect vibes for 2024!” 📚🌠
With laughter echoing through the gym, the event proved cultural barriers melt faster than candyfloss when there’s a giant dragon to wrangle. Stay tuned for more cross-border celebrations as Lunar New Year approaches! 🧧🚀
