The fragrance of dumplings melted into the night
Local time at 3:00pm, on 12th December, 2015, the night in winter has come, but “Beijing cuisine cup”, the competition of making dumplings was ceremoniously opened the curtain. Hosted by Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, about 60 Chinese learners from Confucius Institute, Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Riga Cultural School and Riga 34th High Scholl gathered together in Beijing Cuisine Restaurant, learning how to make dumplings.
Before the competition, volunteer teachers briefly introduced the history of dumplings, set some examples of making different shapes of dumpling and explained the meaning and best wishes hid behind them. After teaching, five groups received the dumplings tutorials and dough, rolling pin and flour and other materials and began their work. At the beginning, facing the front of the material, everyone was awkward, but with the help of volunteer teachers, they gradually touched the doorway. They kneaded the dough into a long pillar, then carefully cut it into many small dough, roll it again and again without giving up, heaven pays off, finally contestants rolled out a thickness suitable and round dough one by one. However, with rolled dough successfully prepared, they trapped into the trouble to put filling into the dough and get to make a beautiful dumpling. Not only did they put too much filling which made dumplings belly explode, that totally cannot squeeze the margin of dumplings tightly.
At this time, the volunteer teacher helped them patiently, and led the contestants to knead the dumplings step by step. Finally, beautiful dumplings appeared!!! Now the happiest time came, every group should put 20 dumplings on the plate and decorate it with Chinese leaves or carrot! They cut carrot into slices to link them to Chinese characters, “Hao Chi(delicious)”, or carve it into different shapes, which like the birds, like wings and like the eyes and nose on the clown’s face. After 20 minutes, everything is done, and they made five wonderful masterpieces. Contestants enjoyed the sight of works and chose the best one they think, and the winner got some cute dolls from the sponsor.
Surprised as it was, when prepared food was placed, a Chinese teacher announced today is a volunteer teacher’s birthday, then a beautiful cake was moved out with two burning candles, and everyone in the hall sang Chinese version of Happy Birthday song to her. It was such a moved environment that she almost burst into tears. Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia is not only a teaching Chinese institute, but a big family full of love and warmth. We are pursuing to provide more chances for Chinese learners to feel the culture.
