On Thursday, December 26th, the faculty, staff, and student body of the Tsinghua University Department of International Relations gathered at the Xiongzhixing Building for the department’s annual New Year’s Celebrations.
In his opening remarks, Professor Yan Xuetong, dean of Tsinghua University’s Institute of Modern International Relations, praised the successes of the past year and wished for all students and teachers to achieve their full potential in the coming year. After a both uplifting and entertaining speech the stage was opened for the various artistic contributions interspersed with delightful games and activities that made this night a gleaming and cheerful experience for all participants.
A charming team of moderators consisting of both Chinese and international students guided the audience through the night, which began with an endearing rendition of a foreign New Year’s song with a folksy charm and guitar accompaniment, followed by a soulful and passionate piano and vocal performance, both presented by international students of the department. Returning to the traditional ways, this was followed by a fascinating and highly professional taiji performance by a duo of professor and student, which left the spectators amazed with their grace and elegance.
After a few short intermissions for games and raffle drawings, the next performer presented an astonishing and captivating, provocative street dance show, which was followed by a delightful collective dance performance by the faculty and staff of the department which visibly engaged the whole venue. The last dance of the night was an arrangement of Gangnam Style, which was preceded by a group of undergraduate students who showed special originality with their own interpretation of the title song of a popular TV series, reworded into an enthusiastic appraisal of their teachers. The final contribution to the show was presented by a PhD student, who rounded up this exhilarating night with a passionate performance of the song ‘Why don’t you like me’.
As the gleeful atmosphere as the evening concluded attested, the celebrations presented an enjoyable conclusion to the year and an enticing welcoming to what’s ahead in the new year for all teachers, staff, and students.
