Cross-Cultural Exchange: International Students Join Youth Ceramic Culture Study Camp in Jingdezhen

To promote traditional Chinese ceramic culture and foster artistic exchange between Chinese and international youth, from October 17 to October 21, a delegation of international students from Jiangxi Fenglin College of Foreign Economy and Trade participated in the International Youth Ceramic Culture Study Camp in Jingdezhen, themed “Craftsmanship along the Silk Road, Mutual Learning Among Civilizations.” The event was jointly organized by Jiangxi Fenglin College of Foreign Economy and Trade and Jingdezhen University, bringing together youth representatives from more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe to experience the unique charm of Chinese ceramic art.

At the opening ceremony, the international student representatives from our college along with young art enthusiasts from around the world, listened to the hosts' addresses, learning about Jingdezhen's long history of ceramic development and its global influence. The atmosphere was lively, with frequent rounds of applause. During the ceremony, Nana, an international student from our college, expressed: “Ceramic art is a symbol of Chinese culture. Through this study camp, I hope to learn more skills and bring this beauty back to my own country.” Her sincere words were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Hands-on Ceramic Experience: Appreciating the Beauty of Craftsmanship

During the following sessions, the students entered ceramic workshops in Jingdezhen, where, under the guidance of professional instructors, they systematically learned the key stages of ceramic production, including throwing, trimming, painting, glazing, and firing. By closely observing the integration of traditional and modern techniques, they gained a deeper understanding of the spirit of craftsmanship, characterized by the pursuit of excellence and high-quality standards. Many students shared that the process of creating a ceramic work with their own hands enabled them to truly appreciate both the technical complexity and the aesthetic significance of transforming clay into porcelain.

Cross-Cultural Co-Creation: Generating New Aesthetics Through Exchange

The study camp also organized classroom discussions, peer evaluations, and project presentations. In their creative work, our international students combined motifs, color blocks, and decorative elements from their own cultural traditions with classic Chinese patterns such as cloud motifs and floral designs, forming distinctive artistic expressions in both shape and ornamentation. During the exhibition and evaluation session, the instructors affirmed the students' conceptualization and craftsmanship, encouraging them to continue exploring the dynamic relationship among materials, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling.

Traveling the City: Discovering the Contemporary Spirit of the “Millennium Porcelain Capital”

In addition to workshop learning, the students also visited kiln sites and exhibition halls, where they gained a systematic understanding of Jingdezhen's cultural foundation and open-minded character—from its historical development and trade connections to its modern design innovations and branding strategies. In follow-up interviews, many students commented that the city of Jingdezhen is “both traditional and modern,” and that “the inheritance and innovation of craftsmanship can be seen everywhere.”

With porcelain as the medium and art as the bridge, Jiangxi Fenglin College of Foreign Economy and Trade will continue to actively promote international cultural exchange and create more platforms for Chinese and international students to learn and grow together, allowing the world to experience China's openness and inclusiveness through the beauty of ceramic art.