Ever wondered how global Gen Z connects through traditions? Meet Anastasia, a 22-year-old Russian student studying in Beijing, who recently took part in China’s Qingming Festival 🌸.
“Back home, we have our own ways of honoring ancestors, but experiencing Qingming was something special,” Anastasia shared with a smile. “Walking alongside my Chinese friends, cleaning tombstones, and offering flowers felt both familiar and new.”
Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a time when families pay respects to their ancestors. For Anastasia, it was a chance to delve deeper into Chinese culture and find connections to her own heritage.
“It’s amazing how, despite our different backgrounds, we all value remembering and honoring those who came before us,” she said. “It shows that Gen Z is truly global—we embrace and learn from each other’s traditions.”
Anastasia even picked up some customs to share back home. “I can’t wait to tell my family about the beautiful rituals here! Maybe we’ll start some new traditions ourselves.”
For many young people like Anastasia, studying abroad isn’t just about academics—it’s about cultural exchange and building bridges 🌍. “Being here during Qingming made me feel more connected, not just to China, but to the world,” she added.
As Gen Z continues to navigate an interconnected world, embracing and understanding diverse traditions enriches everyone’s experiences. After all, as Anastasia says, “We might be from different places, but we’re all part of one big global family.”
Reference(s):
How Gen Z sees the world: Russian student on Chinese Qingming Festival
cgtn.com