Burmese Students Celebrate Thingyan Festival

By Debby Chang

On Sunday April 15th, thirty Tsinghua Burmese students came to share their culture and celebrate the New Year in the Public Policy and Management building of Tsinghua University’s campus. Mr. Tin Oo , the ambassador of Myanmar to China attended the event.

The celebration opened up with serving delicious snacks such as fresh fruit, fried rice, and noodles. The event then proceeded into its main performances that included dance, singing, and martial art performances. Students wearing beautifully colored traditional Burmese outfits dance and sang with smiles on their faces. The female dancers performed some traditional and graceful dances wearing brightly colored garments that are similar to sarongs.

Many local and international students attending Tsinghua University came to show support and enjoy the food and performances. The event ended with splashes of water and prize give away. Both Burmese, Chinese and international students participated in dancing on stage to the traditional Burmese music. Many Tsinghua University student volunteers joined in on the festivities and were extremely eager to join in on the fun. To end the event, the ambassador led students and teachers in singing and water fights. The water fights persisted well into the rest of the sunny and warm Sunday afternoon. Laughter and screaming could be heard as cold water sprayed through the air on this important holiday for the Burmese students. Tsinghua’s beautiful campus graciously welcomed this celebration that accompanied the beautiful day so well.

(Photo by Li Han)