In celebration of the 115th International Women’s Day, and to enrich the cultural life of faculty members, showcase the elegance and strength of women, and enhance cultural literacy, the School of Foreign Studies held a themed recitation contest on March 7 titled “Stronger Together: Listening to Women’s Voices, Savoring the Charm of Literature.”
The event was organized by the School’s Labor Union and hosted by the Party Branch of the First College English Teaching and Research Division. A total of six teams participated. Host Wang Huan clearly outlined the contest rules, and each team presented a carefully curated performance, complete with PowerPoint presentations and background music. Through the fusion of voice and visuals, participants conveyed their unique interpretations and deep reflections on the works of women writers.
The Second College English Teaching and Research Division opened the contest with a stunning rendition of She and the Light. Dressed in coordinated outfits, team members used emotionally rich voices to express the unique charm of women depicted in the work, immersing the audience in a world full of tenderness and strength.
Equally captivating was the performance by the Center for Area Studies and Translation, which selected the classic piece To the Oak Tree. Their innovative use of multiple languages in the recitation highlighted not only the school’s strong linguistic and cultural foundation but also its distinctive strengths in multicultural studies.
The English Major Program and the Center for Foreign Literature Studies presented a selection of Emily Dickinson’s poetry, while the First College English Teaching and Research Division performed Chi Zijian’s The Days of Tearing off the Calendar. These pieces, drawn from both Eastern and Western literary traditions, showcased the grace and beauty of women—sometimes subtle and delicate, sometimes honest and pure—demonstrating how literary portrayals of women transcend borders.
The atmosphere reached its peak with the performances by the Graduate English Teaching and Research Division and the Direct Party Branch of the School. The former recited Poems of the Four Seasons, while the latter presented The Beauty of Women. Both teams wore coordinated outfits and accompanied their recitations with beautifully produced videos highlighting the everyday lives and work of their female colleagues. The harmonious combination of visuals and narration vividly illustrated the resilience and gentleness of women throughout the changing seasons, as well as their unique charm and strength.
After an intense competition, the Graduate English Teaching and Research Division won first prize for their outstanding performance. Other teams were awarded second and third prizes accordingly. Party Secretary Wu Yue, Dean Zhu Dianyong, and Vice Dean Wang Lili presented honorary certificates to the winning teams, bringing the event to a successful conclusion.
Secretary Wu Yue highly praised the event, noting that the recitation contest fully demonstrated the warmth, depth, and strength of women, and marked a resounding success. She extended her gratitude to all those involved in organizing and preparing for the competition. She emphasized the significance of this activity, pointing out that by having grassroots Party branches organize union events, the school not only improved their capacity to host large-scale activities but also laid a solid foundation for future academic conferences. She also encouraged all female faculty members to continue playing their unique roles and to contribute the power of “women,” showcasing their wisdom and brilliance in both their professional and personal lives.
This contest not only allowed everyone to deeply feel the immense power of words, but also strengthened communication and solidarity among the Party branches. It fully demonstrated the positive, vibrant spirit of the faculty and staff of the School of Foreign Studies.
