MFACS Actively Engages in Community Cultural and Arts Festivals and Achieves Remarkable Success

 

  2023年，终于扫除了疫情的阴霾，童心艺术中文学校如同一颗充满能量的明星，闪烁着无限的活力和希望。这一年，童心的老师们作为自愿者在麦迪逊当地社区中积极参与了一系列文化艺术活动，无论是参与城市文化节项目，还是去学区校内分享中华文化传统，都汇聚了童心师生们无尽的努力与热情。童心大家庭希望通过弘扬中华文化，传播爱与理解，携手跨越文化的界限，为每个童心的学生打开新的大门。

 

 

  In 2023, finally, the shadow of the pandemic was lifted, and Madison Fine Arts Chinese School (MFACS) shone as a vibrant star, radiating boundless energy and hope. Throughout the year, our teachers and students have enthusiastically participated in a series of community cultural and artistic events. Whether they were involved in city cultural festivals or shared Chinese cultural traditions within the school district, it was the culmination of the tireless efforts and passion of the entire MFACS family. The MFACS family aspires to open new doors for every student by promoting Chinese culture, spreading love and understanding, and joining hands to transcend cultural boundaries.

 

 

  早春二月，米屯高中(Middleton High School)时隔疫情三年首次举办了“迎新春主题活动”，童心中校的师生们以毛笔字展台介绍中国书法并义务教中外友人们学写毛笔字。我们还准备了中国传统手工艺的春节小礼物送给参与活动的孩子们。我们的展台和舞龙、脸绘、中式服装、中国菜等内容一起积极展示了中国春节习俗，推广了中华传统文化。

 

 

  In early February, Middleton High School held its "Chinese Spring Festival Celebration" for the first time in three years. Several MFACS teachers and students volunteered to introduce Chinese calligraphy and teach foreign friends to write Chinese characters. We also prepared traditional Chinese handcrafted gifts for the children participating in the event. Our booth, together with other activities like dragon dance, face painting, traditional Chinese costumes, and Chinese cuisine, actively showcased Spring Festival and promoted traditional Chinese culture.

 

 

  四月，我们中校的师生再次闪耀登场，在麦迪逊最大的艺术中心Overture Center参与“国际文化艺术节”，为观众带来了富有中国特色的文化、音乐舞蹈和视觉艺术。在这场盛大的国际活动中，我们的展台吸引了无数国外友人驻足往返，啧啧称赞。我们的中华特色展台为艺术节活动注入了新的文化活力，弘扬了中华传统，同时也丰富了童心学子们的学习经验。

 

 

  In April, MFACS teachers and students once again took center stage, participating in the "International Festival" at Overture Center for the Arts, Madison's largest art center. We brought to the audience a taste of Chinese culture, including music, dance, and visual arts. Our Chinese-themed booth attracted numerous international visitors who admired our display and stopped and returned to our demo. Our booth not only injected new cultural vitality into this grand international event, but also enriched the learning experiences of our students.

 

 

  五月，童心师生又作为志愿者参加了由Pope Farm小学组织的国际文化艺术节，与其他文化的学生互动，分享交流了多国文化、风俗和传统。这不仅加深了大家对各国文化之间的了解，还提高了孩子们的国际意识。我们中校的小助教们现场作画的中国水墨画让观众们赞不绝口，都被一抢而空！更有国际友人当场索取了我们中校的报名方式，九月就送孩子来我们学校学习中文了。

 

 

  In May, our teachers and students volunteered to participate in the "One World Festival / International Day" organized by Pope Farm Elementary School. By interacting with students from diverse cultures, sharing and learning about folkway and traditions from various countries, it not only fostered a deeper understanding of different international cultures, but also nurtured the children's global awareness. Our teaching assistants demonstrated traditional Chinese ink painting at the event, which was a hit met with great enthusiasm from the audience. Quickly we ran out of artwork giveaways. During the event, some international friends even inquired about how to enroll their children in our school, and directly sent their children to our school to learn Chinese starting from September.

 

 

  九月，童心中文学校顺利开学。随即我们的老师和助教们再次融入社区，参加了麦城华人协会(MACCO)举办的中秋节主题活动。童心的老师们都穿上祖国的民族服装， 以折扇饰品等向孩子们介绍中国的传统节日和文化艺术。大家不仅欣赏了丰富又精彩的中秋晚会，品尝了传统的中秋月饼和中国菜，还有机会与老一辈书画家一起给新生代们展示中国书法和国画，活动非常圆满，意义久远！

 

 

  In September, after the MFACS fall semester started, our teachers and teaching assistants seamlessly integrated into the community, participating in the Mid-Autumn Festival organized by the Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO). Dressed in Chinese traditional attire and adorned with traditional folding fans and other decorations, we explained Chinese traditional holidays and cultural arts to the children and all audience at the event. Not only everyone enjoyed a spectacular Mid-Autumn Festival music gala, tasted traditional mooncakes and Chinese cuisine, but also, we had the opportunity to demonstrate for the younger generation Chinese painting and calligraphy alongside with a few renowned senior artists. The event was highly successful and held great significance.

 

 

  2023年是童心中文学校的希望之年，社区活动的参与不仅能使学生们更好地了解中国文化，尊重其他文化，还增强了孩子们的自信心和自我认同。通过传统文化交流，孩子们还学到了更多的技能，建立了友谊，为未来的领导力和社区建设打下坚实的基础。

 

 

  The year 2023 represents a year of aspiration for MFACS. Community engagement not only enriched our students' understanding of Chinese culture and their respect for other cultures, but also boosted their confidence and self-identity. Through cross-cultural communications, our students learned new skills, built friendships, and laid a strong foundation for future leadership and community development.

 

 

  童心艺术中文学校今后还将继续积极投入社区，以“弘扬中华文化，传承国学经典，培养兴趣爱好，开拓艺术天地”为宗旨，促进多元文化的融合，为社会的发展做出积极的贡献！让我们怀揣热情，一起继续追逐明天的梦想吧！

  MFACS will continue to actively engage with community events, promoting the integration of diverse cultures with the mission of "promoting Chinese culture, inheriting classical Chinese learning, cultivating interests, and expanding artistic horizons." We aim to make a positive contribution to our society. With fervor in our hearts, let's pursue our dreams for the future together!