The Southern California Alumni Association of Jinan University recently held a vibrant event to celebrate both the 118th anniversary of their alma mater and the 46th anniversary of the alumni association. Alumni gathered to enjoy a delightful day filled with fun activities. The event was not only highlighted by exciting performances but also featured delicious food, raffles, group photos, as well as traditional activities such as calligraphy creation and recitations of classical Chinese literature, showcasing rich Chinese cultural heritage.
A significant focus of the gathering was honoring the elderly, reflecting the traditional Chinese virtue of respect for seniors. Alumni expressed their gratitude by giving red envelopes to elder attendees. During the celebration, President Mei Fan provided an update on the association’s activities and then proceeded to recite Ouyang Xiu’s “Record of the Drunken Old Pavilion” in Cantonese, illustrating the essence of Lingnan culture. The atmosphere was lively as alumni joined in singing, their voices carrying melodiously in the breeze, with applause resonating throughout the pavilion.
The grand finale featured a live calligraphy performance by Hu Jiang, a part-time professor and distinguished calligrapher from Jinan University. Attendees gathered around in awe as Hu Jiang skillfully wrote the phrases “Jinan Love” and “Autumn Emotions Deep” in bold characters, which will serve as mementos for the alumni association. Additionally, he brought along several of his calligraphy works to be offered as prizes, and many lucky alumni won these pieces in the raffle, taking home a piece of art.
The event was further enhanced with gift and cash prize draws, creating a warm and festive atmosphere throughout the gathering.
