Culture in Action 2025, commonly known as CIA, is an annual event organized by UKM SAFEL, specifically by the CCU-LM department. The program invites participants to learn, play, and share cross-cultural experiences from around the world. This year, CIA 2025 adopted the theme “Awakening the Spirit of Tradition: A Journey into the Soul of Craft.” The theme conveys the idea that every craft we touch holds a spirit within it a story, a memory, and a piece of identity. CIA is not only about creating crafts, but also about experiencing the soul of tradition and sharing it across generations and cultures.
This year’s Culture in Action highlighted Chinese culture and featured a guest speaker from China, Luo Fatian (Sisilia). Her presence brought excitement to the event, as participants not only gained knowledge about Chinese traditions but also had the opportunity to directly engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities.
The event focused on hands-on experiences that encouraged active participation from everyone. Participants learned to create traditional Chinese crafts such as the Chinese Lantern and the Chinese Knot. These activities fostered patience, creativity, and precision, while also introducing meaningful cultural symbols. In addition, there was a session on writing numbers in Hanzi, giving participants a unique and challenging cultural experience.
The program began with a talk show session featuring Sisilia, where she shared stories about her culture, ranging from traditional food and clothing to handcrafted arts. This session not only broadened participants’ knowledge but also provided an interactive discussion space where they could ask questions about things they were curious about. The event then continued with a workshop on writing numbers in Hanzi. In this session, participants were given the chance to practice directly using ink, brushes, and special paper prepared for calligraphy.
Next came a group activity that strengthened the sense of camaraderie among participants. They were divided into four groups to play a simple yet fun game, transferring marbles from one glass to another using chopsticks. The winner was determined by the number of marbles successfully transferred. The game not only brought laughter and excitement but also reflected values deeply rooted in Chinese culture, such as patience, precision, and perseverance.
One of the most anticipated parts of the event was the handcrafting session. Participants were provided with tools and materials to create Chinese Lanterns and Chinese Knots. While it seemed simple at first, many soon realized that these crafts required great patience, accuracy, and focus. Some participants carefully followed the instructions, while others encouraged and assisted each other when difficulties arose. The final results, though modest, brought a sense of pride, as each piece was the product of personal effort and creativity.
The event concluded with a reflection session, where participants shared their impressions and feedback. Many expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the entire program, noting that the experiences they gained were both memorable and meaningful.
More than just a cultural exchange, Culture in Action 2025 created a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Participants discussed, laughed, and supported each other throughout the learning process. This is what made the event so special, culture became a medium to strengthen connections, not just something to be studied. The warm atmosphere, the hands-on activities, and the shared memories made the experience deeply meaningful. Many hoped that future editions of Culture in Action would continue to explore and celebrate the beauty of world cultures, allowing more people to witness and experience the richness behind every tradition.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the participants who made this event lively, and especially to Sisilia, our guest speaker. See you at the next Culture in Action, with a new theme and another enriching cultural journey!
– Fira and Sheyra –
