On January 3, 2013, the Student Committee of the International Relations Department of Tsinghua University held its annual New Year’s Party at the Tsinghua Hotel’s multi-functional dining and entertainment hall. Many professors from the International Relation’s Department attended this event and approximately 70 students from both the English and Chinese IR programs attended. The event began with Professor Yan Xuetong, Dean of the Department of International Relations, Professor Shi Zhiqin, Party Secretary for the School of Social Sciences, and Professor Zhang Lihua, Deputy Director of China-EU Relations, offering opening remarks in English and Chinese.
This event featured many singing and dancing programs. A number of games were also interspersed between these performances. All of the students and professors that performed had clearly devoted a lot of time to prepare each of their respective performances. This fact was clear to all who watched. This year’s theme was performances from around the globe. Our international relations family thus received a variety of performances that proudly represented over 20 nations and more importantly introduced students to a wide variety of diverse cultures.
The performances began with a chorus of undergraduate students singing the song “Happy New Year!”. Immediately following this performance, six Korean students performed the well-known song, “Gangnam Style.” Following this act, one foreign student had solo guitar performance. Afterwards, a junior undergraduate student performed an Arabic dance. As the event progressed, the atmosphere continued to grow more warm and inviting. This was especially true after students and professors engaged in two lively games. These games were followed by an exchange student singing a song in Chinese, undergraduate class 9C singing to a video they created, which was titled, “IR Family,” and finally two students performing a splendid Viennese Waltz. Additionally, it is especially worth noting that Professor Zhang Lihua, Professor Zhang Chuanjie, and Ms. Wang Chun held a fascinating taiji performance, which was followed by Professor Tang, who played the bamboo flute for everyone. This performance was particularly interesting because it introduced traditional Chinese culture to everyone. Finally, Professor Zhao Kejin also led a chorus of professors, who sang the song, “Enter a New Era.” This performance marked the high point of the evening. Lastly, all of the students and professors followed the lead of Professor Xing Yue, who enthusiastically encouraged everyone to participate in a lively Irish dance. Watching everyone warmly dance and socialize with one another left everyone who attended the event with a light-hearted feeling and additionally signified a fitting end to this spectacular New Year’s Event.
(IR Student Committee Draft)
Photo 1: the new student committee
Photo 2: Group photo of the IR family.
