By Mikkel Larsen,  iChongqing news

Chongqing- April 10 saw the launching ceremony of the 2019 Looking China program sponsored by the Huilin Foundation and hosted by AICCC, China Culture International Communication Research Institute. The program aims to showcase China through the unique perspectives of young filmmakers, each making a 10-minute short film about Chinese culture.

Following the opening ceremony in the morning, the participants were taken on a cultural experience trip in Chongqing's Beibei District touring the Beibei Museum, the Chongqing Natural History Museum and the Jingang Wharf Cultural and Creative Park for paper cutting and Chinese origami lessons.

iChongqing went along with the Looking China participants and got their impressions on the Looking China program so far.

At the Beibei museum, many of the participants found an interest in the Chinese dancing rehearsal taking place outside of the museum itself. The beautifully choreographed dance performed by a dance group of Chinese women with their fans was very captivating.

Traditional Chinese Dancing near the Beibei Museum

The participants were very fascinated with the Chinese Traditional Dancing

Next up was the Chongqing National History Museum in Beibei, one of the largest museums in the city. Here, we were treated to a guided tour of the museum, and the participants could learn more about Chongqing's ancient history as well as see the animals, specimens, and even dinosaur remains found in China. The guided tour lasted about an hour before continuing to the third and final destination.

The participants arriving at the Chongqing Natural History Museum

Taking in all the information at the National History Museum

At the Jingang Wharf Cultural and Creative Park, the Looking China participants were treated to the Traditional Chinese art of paper cutting, learning to make the Chinese character 囍. The meaning of this character is "double happiness," comprising of two copies of the character 喜 (xǐ), meaning joy. The two characters compressed together is often used to wish a newly married couple happiness and joy in their new marriage.

Learning about Chinese paper cutting

Paying close attention to the instructions of the Chinese paper cutting

One of the Looking China Participants making her own paper cutting

The evening concluded with a traditional Chongqing hotpot dinner.

About Looking China Youth Film Project

Looking China Youth Film Project is a Chinese cultural experience project hosted by the Beijing Normal University Huilin Foundation and the China Culture International Communication Research Institute. This project aims to showcase China's simplicity and prosperity, ancient and fashion through the unique perspective of foreign young filmmakers, and strengthen cross-cultural communication, exchanges, and cooperation between Chinese and foreign youths.

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