CFSS students and teachers participating in CMG Salon Events
On 2nd November 2025, around one hundred teachers and students from our school participated in a cultural salon event sponsored by China Merchants Group. The event featured four consecutive lectures, providing students with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture while also nurturing their moral character and emotional well-being.
First Lecture: The Healing Gourmet Su Dongpo
Su Shi is widely known as a celebrated poet, but he also had another side. In Teacher Jiang Yu's sharing, we learned about an official whose political career was fraught with setbacks, yet he managed to face each place of exile with a broad-minded attitude, transforming them into "culinary paradises." This life attitude is highly commendable—instead of dwelling on difficulties when facing adversity, he found healing in life and color in imperfection. Through Su Dongpo’s example, students learned how to confront challenges in life.
Second Lecture: Following the Ancients to 'Appreciate Tea'
Guided by Teacher Jin Dan, we journeyed through the poetic verses of tea-loving literati like Yuan Zhen and Su Shi, gradually stepping into their world of tea. It turns out that the ancients did not drink tea merely to quench their thirst; for them, it was an expression of life’s artistry. From selecting the right teacup to the meticulous conduct of a tea gathering, every step was carried out with utmost care. Teacher Jin Dan encouraged students to reflect: in today’s fast-paced world, we should learn from the ancients to slow down, brew a cup of tea, and rediscover inner tranquility and the beauty of life amidst the fragrance of tea.
Third Lecture: An Inch of Brocade, an Inch of Gold—The Fashion Code Between Warp and Weft
As the saying goes, “adding flowers to brocade” and “living in luxury.”
Teacher Jin Dan introduced students to the cultural heritage of brocade. Brocade is an exceptionally luxurious fabric, particularly Shu brocade, which in ancient times symbolized status and prestige. It’s remarkable how such lightweight pieces of Shu brocade could carry such profound historical weight. Teacher Jin Dan specially brought some Shu brocade pieces, allowing students the rare opportunity to see and touch brocade from different eras, experiencing the unique charm of this intangible cultural heritage. Cao, a Secondary 2 student who participated, shared: "This salon made me better understand the significance of cultural heritage. I will pay more attention to the unnoticed details in life and appreciate the contributions of every artisan to cultural preservation."
Fourth Lecture: Does AI Truly Understand Your Heartbeat?
Teacher Jiang Yu led us in a fascinating discussion: When AI picks up a pen, who is the true poet? Welcome to the poetry arena between humans and AI! In this era of human-machine collaborative creation, will we be losers replaced by algorithms, or will we master these tools to empower our creativity? This salon helped students find the answer—perhaps the most touching poetry lies where AI cannot reach. Let us explore the boundaries of AI-generated creation and, in this rapidly advancing technological wave, become outstanding "soul creators."
Editor S.4A Han Siu Yu
