“Let’s Go to China!”
Xavier University Confucius Institute Presentation of China the Most Popular
at the Louisiana Children’s Museum’s 14th World’s Fair
[Source] Confucius Institute at Xavier University of Louisiana
On May 11, 2013, the Louisiana Children’s Museum in New Orleans welcomed a highly popular
event among kids, the 14th World’s Fair that saw nearly 1,000 visitors. Representatives from
the local community presented seven countries, including China, Argentina, Brazil, Ireland,
Monaco, Panama, and Vietnam. Xavier University of Louisiana Confucius Institute, in
collaboration with Ms. Sandra Pierre-Kazi, President and CEO of Worldwide Concepts Vacations,
showcased China.
The first ever presentation of China at the Children’s Museum by the Institute turned to be the
most popular. The China hall was characterized by its large space, distinctive Chinese culture,
and abundant kids-friendly activities. When one stepped into the China hall, one was faced
with uniquely “Chinese auspicious reds”: the brilliantly red five-star national flag, the large red
lanterns all across the hall, the Chinese dragons lining up at the entrance, and the red qipao
robe dressed by Confucius Institute staff. The Xavier University Confucius Institute banner was
prominently hung above the entrance.
The China hall was filled with a variety of programs: paper making demonstration, ink painting
and calligraphy show, water writing paper, Chinese transliteration of English names, Chinese
naming on bookmarks, Chinese abacus competition, lantern making, fan coloring, Mandarin
Chinese touching and learning, Chinese theatrical art appreciation, mask wearing, and powergenerating bicycling.
The weather on May 11 in New Orleans blessed the World’s Fair occasion: the clouds sheltered
the sun; the rain kicked off the heat. With setup complete well in advance, the Louisiana
Children’s Museum opened to children before 10am. Accompanied by their parents, children
looked and toured around in the various exhibition halls. But the most sought out site was the
China hall. LET’S GO TO CHINA! This was the words parents told kids again and again at the
entrance.
Their eyes glued to the many activities in the China hall, their hands playing with the various
games, an endless influx of children had great fun in the China hall. They stopped at the
entrance to take picture with Chinese dragons; girls never missed the opportunity to try
Chinese qibao robes; boys looked very cool with colorful Chinese marks on their faces. The
paper-making table was surrounded with many kids from morning to afternoon. A local
teacher, Ms. Blair Price, demonstrated paper-making process and often asked kids: “Which
country invented paper-making?” “Of course China!” curious children, with newly acquired
knowledge, would answer. Children were motivated to make paper themselves.
Professor Jingwu Hu, a Xavier visiting art faculty from Hebei University, demonstrated Chinese
painting and calligraphy. His table became a great spot that drew so many visitors. Bamboos,
rocks, pandas and flowers were the subject of choice by kids. They loved their names to be
translated and written in Chinese by Professor Hu too. All other activities, such as coloring and
Chinese cultural displays, were equally impressive. Both adult and young visitors thus enjoyed
a huge feast of Chinese culture.
The 14th World’s Fair by the Louisiana Children’s Museum ended at 5pm in the afternoon.
Marveling at the wonderful success in the China hall, the Director of the Museum, Julia Bland,
gave the Confucius Institute staff a huge hug: THANK YOU ALL! THANK CHINA!
Aside from Confucius Institute staff, including Yu Jiang, Rongyao Wen, Shu Peng, and Gang
Wang, the Institute wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations for their
outstanding contributions to the China presentation at the World’s Fair:
Jingwu Hu, Yan Li, Aizhu Guo, Xiaoyan Liu, Jathiya Kazi, Mandela Kazi, Ahmad Kazi, Sandra
Pierre-Kazi, Dixie Moore, Blair Price, Julia Micheals, Amber Luning, Gina Womack, Aaron
Womack, Joseph Hicks, Adina Ewing, and Sheridon Trepagnier IV, and the Alliance for
Affordable Energy.
Rebecca Duckert, Special Events Coordinator at the Children’s Museum, added, “The China
Exhibit was a truly remarkable experience at Children’s World’s Fair. Helmed by Yu Jiang of the
Confucius Institute at Xavier University of Louisiana, the China exhibit was overflowing with
activities and information about Chinese culture and history. Mr. Jiang and his committee
really embraced the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education
theme and featured many of China’s important contributions to the world. Their immense
pride in their country and wealth of knowledge created a truly memorable experience to our
visitors.”
(See Images Below)
Confucius Institute Banner Welcoming Parents and Kids
Practicing Chinese Abacus
Mom and Son Spectacular in Chinese Masks
Appreciating Prof. Jingwu Hu’s Ink Painting and Calligraphy
Coloring Chinese Dragons
Cute Little Baby Learning Chinese Pronunciation!
China Hall Drawing Huge Crowds
“我 们 到 中 国 去！”
泽维尔大学孔子学院在路易斯安那儿童博物馆第十四届“世界日”摘得头彩
[来源] 路易斯安那泽维尔大学孔子学院
2013 年 5 月 11 日新奥尔良路易斯安那儿童博物馆迎来了深受儿童欢迎的第十四届大型
“世界日”活动。居住在新奥尔良的侨民分别代表中国、阿根廷、巴西、爱尔兰、摩纳哥、
巴拿马和越南等七个国家参加了展出。泽维尔大学孔子学院代表中国参加了展出。
中国馆第一次亮相路易斯安那儿童博物馆就摘得头彩。中国馆面积大，文化特色突出，儿
童可参与活动多种多样。当你步入中国馆时，映入眼帘的是众人皆知的中国红：悬挂在展
馆里的鲜艳的五星红旗，遍布各个角落的大红灯笼，依次排列在展馆入口两侧的中国龙，
还有孔院教师身上夺人眼目的红色旗袍。泽维尔大学孔子学院的牌子也悬挂在入口的突出
位置。
中国馆内容丰富多彩：模拟造纸、水墨画和书法现场表演、水写纸书法练习、起中国名字
赠书签、算盘计算实践、灯笼制作、涂彩制扇、点读笔汉语学习及戏曲欣赏、脸谱识别和
自行车模拟发电。
11 日的新奥尔良天公也作美，乌云遮太阳、阵雨去酷热。儿童博物馆也早已布置完毕。
不到上午 10 点，儿童博物馆就迎来了络绎不绝的小客人。他们那明亮、好奇的眼睛搜索
着。在各自父母的陪同下，步入了各国展厅。但大家听到最多的是父母们倾身对孩子们说：
我们到中国去！
从上午 9 点半到下午 5 点，中国展馆一直充满了熙熙攘攘的人群。走到入口处和中国龙留
个影，女孩子从不错过试穿中国旗袍的机会，男孩子戴上中国脸谱面具酷一把。模拟造纸
的桌子一直围满了孩子。志愿者边表演造纸边问发明造纸术的是哪个国家？“中国！”用
新知识武装起来的孩子们边加入模拟造纸活动边异口同声地说。馆内很吸引小观众的是水
写布汉字练习和书画表演。他们不仅参与练习书写，而还向老师讨到了自己喜爱的汉语名
字，高高兴兴地参与其他活动了。馆内涂颜色、制灯笼、点读笔、珠算学习、蹬车发电和
中国文化展示都挤满了来自新奥尔良市的小观众，酷酷地享受了一把中国文化大餐。
第十四届儿童博物馆“世界日”下午 5 点结束了。看到中国馆的儿童活动如此成功，博物
馆馆长朱丽叶.布兰德女士高兴地拥抱着我们说：谢谢你们！谢谢中国！
儿童博物馆重大活动负责人丽贝卡这样说：“中国馆在本馆‘世界日’上真是妙不可言。
在路易斯安那泽维尔大学孔子学院江瑜领导下，中国馆内充满了中华文化、历史的介绍和
活动。江先生和他的筹委会紧扣这次科学－技术－工程－数学教育这一主题，展示了中国
对世界的许多重要贡献。孔子学院师生为中国自豪而知识丰富，他们为广大观众提供了难
以忘怀的经历。”
(敬请看后面附图)
孔子学院横幅欢迎家长、孩子
体验算盘加法
母子俩玩脸谱
排队欣赏胡京武教授水墨画、书法
孩子们画中国龙
小小年纪就体会汉语有声教学！
中国馆内人群川流不息