(Reporter Pan Na)The Confucius Institute at Yeditepe University held a "Making Dumplings to Celebrate the New Year" cultural experience event at the Phoenix Chinese Restaurant in the Asian district of Istanbul on December 25,2025. Students made dumplings, prepared noodle, and tasted Chinese cuisine, immersing themselves in the profound and extensive Chinese culinary culture.
The event was hosted by the Confucius Institute at Yeditepe University, with the attendance of Chinese Director Liu Songyan and Local Deputy Director Li Weili, involving over 20 Chinese and foreign teachers and students. The atmosphere at the event was lively, with students actively participating and experiencing the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year through hands-on activities, while appreciating the unique charm of traditional Chinese culinary culture.
At the event, teachers Liu Songyan and Li Weili participated and provided meticulous guidance to the students. They demonstrated how to make dumplings, from the basic yuanbao dumplings to the more challenging crescent moon dumplings, explaining the techniques step by step. The Turkish students imitated diligently and tried repeatedly, with variously shaped dumplings gradually taking form—some round and plump, others delicate and unique. Many students even took out their phones to photograph their "works" as souvenirs, immersing themselves in the joy of handmade crafts.
The subsequent noodle-making session brought the atmosphere to a climax. A Chinese chef demonstrated the technique, and with a light flick of the wrist, the dough was stretched into uniform, thin noodles, eliciting admiration from the Turkish students. Everyone actively tried to emulate, experiencing the craftsmanship and charm of Chinese noodles through repeated pulling and adjusting. Xinhua News Agency reported on the event, interviewing Turkish student Yucel Egemen ATES on-site, who shared his insights from participating and his newfound understanding of Chinese culture.
At the end of the event, Chinese and foreign teachers and students gathered around a table to share homemade ramen and dumplings, discussing their experiences and feelings, creating a warm atmosphere. This event, using Chinese cuisine as a medium, not only allowed Turkish students to get up close with China's traditional culture but also enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and Turkish teachers and students through hands-on practice and interactive exchanges, adding a touch of warmth to cultural exchanges between the two countries. A reporter from Xinhua News Agency's Türkiye Branch documented the event in a single continuous shot, and the related video was eventually selected for China's New Year-themed video exhibition, becoming a vivid reflection of cultural exchanges between China and Türkiye.
Edited by: Pan Na
Reviewer: Liu Songyan
