More than 30 international students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, enjoyed an unforgettable encounter with the ancient Chinese intangible cultural heritage of tie-dye at Dafen Art Museum in Longgang District on September 19.

Guided by the museum staff, the students first learned how Dafen Oil-Painting Village evolved from a tiny village into “China’s No. 1 Oil-Painting Village.” Later, they visited the Shenzhen 45th Anniversary Art Exhibition. Then, it came to the “golden hour” of the day: experiencing the tie-dye art. Following an introduction from Chinese tie-dye history to colourisation application and binding techniques, these international “craftsmen” folded, tied, and dyed the cloth on their own, making various canvas bags.

“I'm here as an exchange student, so every time I have the opportunity to know a little bit more about Chinese culture, I’m extremely interested and enjoy it,” said Lorenzo Bicalho Dos Santos Lopes from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. The most thrilling moment came when the strings were cut, and the final patterns were revealed. Aliya Mussayeva, a first-year student from Kazakhstan, exclaimed, “We can’t predict what our work will finally look like. What an amazing surprise!”

It was the suspenseful creativity that made tie-dye outstandingly charming. Exchange students Olga Tuganova and Tatiana Lukina from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russia, felt it keenly: Olga was fascinated by the ingenious ways of binding the fabric, whereas Tatiana loved the bold and novel dyeing process. “Every single work is unique!” They marvelled.

Clement Nathanael Rivan, a first-year student from Indonesia, observe the interaction of the old and the new: “Today’s event combined traditional tie-dye art with modern canvas-bag culture. I can’t wait to show my bag around campus!”

At the end of the workshop, students displayed their creations proudly.

Organised by the Office of Academic Links, the event is part of the signature “Chinese Cultural Workshop Series”, designed to offer international students immersive opportunities to experience and explore Chinese culture in depth.