April 23rd of 2017 marked the 22nd World Reading Day. The International Students’ Charity Volunteer Association of Jilin University, an organization established by the international students themselves named “iCare”, visited Shushi Bookstore in Changchun under the assistance of College of International Education and participated in the “The Reader” reading activity hosted by the bookstore. Altogether 20 international students from 14 countries took part.
The sharing that day focused on Stray Birds by Rabindranath Tagore. Students of iCare valued this event and made sufficient preparation in advance. Every one of them wore their most beautiful national clothing, chose their favorite poem sections and translated them into their mother tone. Against the melodious music, every student went onto stage and recited their poem, full of emotion.
After the recital, the foreign students introduced some cultural customs of their countries. Spontaneously, they told readers how to say simple things like “hello” and “goodbye” in their mother tone and the readers were very interested. Every one had a great time!
After the reading session, Rojpibulstit Pimpaka, a Thai student, posted this on Wechat Moments: “We live in the same world. I am from a foreign land and now I am at the same time zone with people here. In the language most familiar to me, I read a book to ease my nostalgia. Who can understand it does not matter. I just want the world to see me and my hometown.” These words echoed with an Indonesian student CICIK ARISTA, who said: “A book is a light, and reading it illuminates the road ahead; a book is a bridge, and reading it brings people together; a book is a sail, and reading it propels the boat of life to move forward. Reading is about the art of life. It makes our life more wonderful!”
Reading activities aim at broadening people’s horizon and developing their big-picture thinking, facilitating knowledge exchanges and improving life quality. Cross-cultural reading and exchanges in particularly kindle the sparks of wisdom for both sides and trigger deeper-level cultural thinking. Members of iCare all said that participating in such activities on World Reading Day was very meaningful and hoped to be involved in more such activities.
