Red Lantern: Inauguration ceremony

It is Monday late afternoon of Week 2 and I’m sitting in a large auditorium on the top floor of building D. I had to ask a few people in order to find building D, because there is no indication of it anywhere on the building. I was surprised to find out that building D is directly opposite of our building, which is ‘J’. The funny thing is, that in this part of the campus, there are only two buildings and it doesn’t make sense to give the buildings the letters D and J. Our buildings are at the edge of SISU and isolated from the rest of the campus. We have our own gate and there is no path connecting us to the other buildings.

Anyway, I am sitting in the last row and before me are a few Chinese teachers and members of staff. All our students are gathered in the first few rows, as you can see from the photos below. There will be some speakers and one of them is one of our students. But before we begin with the inauguration ceremony, we can fill up our bellies at a rich buffet with local dishes. There’s also pizza, possibly for us westerners. Besides me, only very few others have a slice. Most, including Howard - our chief for the summer, go for the local food.

Some time later, the first speaker appears on stage and holds a speech. More people hold speeches and many nice and warm words are expressed. Many compliments are made too, especially towards us foreigners. Some of the adjectives used are handsome, friendly and kind. Howard and I are welcomed back. A few words for each four of us are told and I’m introduced as a poet and writer. Chloe, the speaker who introduces us, is one of my readers and I guess the ‘poet’ is a reference to the student who called me like that at the closing ceremony last summer. I may look like one, but I am certainly no poet.

The last one to climb the stage is our student Tracy, as her English name is. Her Chinese name is Tongtong. Tong means ‘childhood’. So, Tongtong, means double ‘Childhood’ - ‘Childhoodchildhood’. Great name! Poor Tongtong was asked to hold a speech only a few hours before the event and didn’t have much time to prepare her it. She is quite nervous, but manages to do fine.

When I read the info about the inauguration ceremony I was a bit concerned and didn’t really want to go, because I was afraid of being trapped in a room for hours, listening to many endless and boring speeches. But then my group 3 students asked me if I would go and Tongtong said that she would talk on stage, that’s why I made up my mind and came. I have witnessed some hour long ceremonies here in China and in other countries like Saudi and have sworn to myself to either not attend any, or if I really must, I’d sit somewhere near the exit to escape.

This event lasts to my fortune only about an hour (including eating time) and when it’s finished, little groups form and people talk to each other. On the way out we pass the buffet and are encouraged by the staff to take some food with us. I’m given some bananas, so my breakfast is secured.

I’m looking forward to the closing ceremony at the end of the summer.

The first speaker is from the Hull University China office