As the scent of blossoms filled the air, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) transformed its dining halls into vibrant hubs of cultural celebration. 

On February 11, coinciding with the "Little New Year" (Xiao Nian) in Southern China, nearly 3,000 students and faculty members gathered across five campuses for the university’s annual Spring Festival reunion dinner. The crowd included numerous international students eager to trade their lab coats and textbooks for calligraphy brushes and traditional delicacies.

A Feast of Auspicious Flavors

The centerpiece of the celebration was a meticulously crafted menu steeped in Lingnan tradition. In Cantonese culture, New Year dishes are chosen for their auspicious homophones—imbuing every bite with a wish for the future.

"In my country, we cherish big family meals, but I am fascinated by how every ingredient here represents a specific hope for the future," noted a doctoral student at the North Campus. "It makes the meal feel like a profound conversation with tradition."

The spread featured classic Guangdong delicacies, from the crackling skin of crispy roast duck and the tender, silky white-cut chicken to the comforting, hearty Chetian tofu. Beyond the local Cantonese fare, the dining halls offered a curated selection of specialties from other provinces and halal Northwestern Chinese dishes, ensuring that every student felt seen and catered to.

Bridging Cultures through Ink and Paper

Complementing the culinary journey was an immersive cultural experience. In specially curated "cultural corners" at each campus, red paper and black ink became a universal language. International students, many picking up a calligraphy brush for the first time, joined their Chinese peers to write the character Fu (Fortune) and craft traditional Spring Festival couplets.

"It is my very first time celebrating the Spring Festival, and the energy here is incredible," said one international student, admiring her handwritten work. The halls echoed with laughter as students from diverse backgrounds shared their artistic creations, turning an ancient ritual into a moment of shared discovery.

A Home Away from Home

The event also highlighted the growing global resonance of the Spring Festival, which was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. The atmosphere was less like a formal university function and more like a sprawling, diverse family reunion.

From the shared stories at the circular tables to the “Spring Festival Gift Packs,” the university ensured a sense of belonging for all.

As the event concluded with group photos and the exchange of hand-written Fu characters, the sentiment was clear: though many were miles from their biological families, the warmth of the shared meal and the vibrant spirit of the upcoming Year of the Horse made SYSU feel like a true home away from home.

Source: SYSU Global Communication Office, Student Affairs Department

Writer: Zhao Ruochen, Feng Xianzhe

Photographer: Zhang Yan, Wang Shufei, Li Tingyi, Huang Runxuan, Huang Haowei, Zhang Chuyi, Li Dandan, Chen Haolin

Editor: Feng Xianzhe

Reviewer: Huang Yan, Chen Rongrong