The Arts Festival 2023 at the International Department, Macduffie School, Tianjin

Education is what you have left when the facts are forgotten - this adage has stayed with me since Grade 9 when I encountered one of three influential teachers in my life. Years later, as a teacher, it matters even more that I do all I can to ensure that this remains true. Nowadays, with many schools pushing Maths and Science, it has become even more imperative for me that art and culture keep their place in schools as I see them as THE vehicle to ensure that students have a life that is colourful and will leave them with an experience that transcends book learning. The International Department of Macduffie School, Tianjin recently hosted a week-long Arts Festival - an event organised by a dedicated handful of students belonging to the school's multi cultural club, the Macduffie Dramatic Society - MDS. The event featured a Photographic Exhibition, Art exhibition, Short Film Festival Classical Music Concert, Poetry Exhibition and  a very exciting concept, The Girl Power Concert, amongst other activities. 

Coming so soon after COVID-19 restrictions robbed many students of a normal high school experience, this was the perfect tonic to get students to express themselves on the stage or on canvas. Two of the events were very exciting Project Based Learning endeavours by the school's flagship class, the MEP program in Grade 10, or Rutenber MEPs as they are known. The Poetry Exhibition allowed them to present Shakespeare's Sonnets in a creative way that made poetry more accessible to young teenagers. They also presented short films in response to the Film as narrative component of their course. Seeing the results made me reflect on why teaching is such a wonderful profession and reminded me of a quote from my favourite movie, Dead Poets Society: Medicine, law, business, engineering - these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But romance, beauty, poetry, love - these are what we stay alive for."

An event that got many excited was the first ever concert organised by girls and featuring female staff and student performers. The philosophy behind the show was simple - girls do not have to stand in boys' shadows - they can do! It was all about showing that sisters could do it for themselves. From high energy dance and singing performances to more subdued  classical music performances on cello, keyboard and guzheng to rap, and a student who shared her journey as an artist, the evening offered tremendous variety. However, the message was clear and offered in one voice - Girls have Power!

Chloe Deng, Grade 10, and one of the leading performers in the Arts Festival and co-host of the Girl Power Concert had this to say: "I appreciate that I can perform at the Girl Power Concert. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not only a stage for girls and women to show their talents but also an opportunity for everyone to feel how powerful girls and women can be. Whether they are singing, dancing or playing Instruments, the message that the performers convey to the audience is that they are confident, generous and excellent." 

An event of this magnitude takes alot of planning and it was incredible seeing how students took charge and showed excellent organisational skills. Under the leadership of Nicole Yang, Grade 12, and president of the MDS, the Arts Festival succeeded: "As the president of MDS Club, I was asked to organise the arts festival, which was an opportunity to exercise my leadership, enhance the relationship with my classmates, and exchange art with them. In the preparation stage of the activity, I had several meetings and discussions with the leading group of our club, and quickly and clearly determined the overall activity planning with the support of two teachers. In the whole process, finalising the items to buy, controlling the budget, calculating the number of participants, and promoting the activity, I realised that it is not easy to be a leader. During the week of the art festival, I felt proud and excited about the smooth progress of the activity and the progress of my ability. When I think back to myself a year ago, I still needed my teacher to tell me what to do, but now I just follow my instincts."

The leadership team of Nicole, Liam, Michael, Anna, James, Carlos and Neo set the standard for organising through tremendous dedication and commitment. Standing next to every successful teacher is a group of wonderful students who actually deserve all the praise! 

The International department's Arts Festival will linger long in the memory of students who took part in this week-long event. Those who found their voices and now stand tall like giants will forever remember the moment it happened. You see,  there are those momentous occasions we are part of and at the time we do not realise how they will affect us in the future - as a teacher full of hope, I can only wish that this event was one of those moments for our young students leaders and also our stage performers. Jessica Huang, the Head of the International Department, had this to say: MacDuffie International Department had a great week. The Arts Festival brings the activities of the department to a climax- classical music concert, pop music concert, poetry exhibition, photo exhibition, film festival, calligraphy, Girl Power Concert...- it was a feast of art and culture. 

Art and cultural events have the power to heal, inspire, entertain, educate, and bring people together, making them essential for a healthy and vibrant community. After a tough period during the pandemic, this has a special significance for our students and teachers. By showcasing a variety of art forms, diversity and inclusivity have been greatly promoted. Through events like these, we hope to enrich our students’ lives, broaden their horizons, and improve their overall quality of life through more and more art activities."

Arts Festival 2023 showed how the  arts are valued in our department. The truth is without the arts, students' lives would be a mere canvas of black and blue blotches of ink without any meaningful creation, bereft of colour. Let us keep art and culture alive in schools and if the Arts Festival 2023 is anything to go by, I have faith in schools thanks to some departments like the International Department at Macduffie Tianjin. 

Brandon Stoltenkamp