Oriental Crazy Day 2023: Photos with Panda, Calligraphy and Oriental Hospitality
On May 21, HSE School of Asian Studies organised their traditional Oriental Crazy Day for 2023. Prospective students learnt more about HSE degree programmes and admission process, and met with students and university teachers at the ‘Meeting under the Stars’ held at the HSE Cultural Centre.
At the festival, guests took part in competitions, listened to mini-lectures by the students about the history and culture of Asian countries, tried their hand at calligraphy and even took part in fortune-telling using the Book of Changes. The guests also hugged and took photos with the the panda mascot, an emblem of success.
School graduates told the HSE news service about the programmes they intend to apply for and why Oriental Crazy Day 2023 was important for them.
Dasha Mochalova, student of Moscow school No. 1541, plans to study Arabic. She came to the ‘Meeting under the Stars’ to learn more about the degree programmes implemented by the HSE School of Asian Studies. ‘I have already been to open days at HSE University before. These opportunites are important for applicants and for the university,’ says Dasha Mochalova. ‘Here we can learn more about the programmes and faculties, and understand whether we have chosen the right field of study. My friends who are studying at HSE University say that the atmosphere here is friendly and welcoming, and the teachers are great.’
For Polina, student of the Distributed Lyceum of HSE University in Moscow, this is not her first interaction with HSE. ‘I already feel like a member of the HSE community, I regularly participate in various events, I visit all the open days I can. I like the atmosphere and the quality of education. I plan to enroll on the HSE and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia,’ says Polina.
Stepan Dobrodeev, student of Moscow school No. 1678, visited HSE University for the first time for this open day. ‘I feel stunned by the scale. Everything is very interesting, many different cultures are represented. Such events definitely help me in getting to know the university better, and to understand what to expect. I want to apply for Japanese studies: I have studied different countries and cultures, but Japan interests me most of all,’ says Stepan.
Alexandra Panova, high school student of school No. 4 at the Moscow region, intends to apply for Korean studies. ‘Since 2020, I have been interested in Korean music, which inspired me so much that I decided to study this country and its culture more deeply,’ says Alexandra.
At the end of the event, the guests attended a big concert prepared by teachers and students from the School of Asian Studies, which immersed everyone in the true atmosphere of the East.
See also:
The Path of an Expert: The New Head of the School of Asian Studies, Alexey Efimov, on China, Career Choices, and Training Modern Specialists
Alexey Efimov has been appointed Head of the School of Asian Studies at the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs. He brings with him 18 years of experience of living and working in China. Alexey Efimov was involved in opening the RIA Novosti bureau in the People’s Republic of China, took part in establishing the Sputnik China news agency, and from 2019 served as Deputy Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in China. Elizaveta Trubnikova spoke with Alexey Efimov in an interview that sheds light on how a career path from analyst to journalist and diplomat in China shapes one’s understanding of the East, why soft skills are crucial for today’s international affairs professionals, and what prospects lie ahead for the development of the School of Asian Studies.
'I Would Be Interested to Speak with Chinese Farmers'
Veronika Smirnova studies China's approach to global food security and has spent a year at Renmin University in Beijing. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she speaks about Xi Jinping's flagship initiatives, her interest in John Boyd Orr of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and her love for malatang and xiao long bao.
‘Mayflies Are Drifting along the River–This Is a Symbol that Everything Goes By’
Arseniy Uspenskij (Litvin) initially studied Indology but ultimately focused on Assyriology. In an interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, he discussed the metrical structure of Akkadian poetry, the deciphering of the Behistun inscription, and King Sargon.
Graduate of HSE University in St Petersburg Receives Award at ‘Chinese Bridge’ Competition in Beijing
In early September 2024, Anastasia Usyk, a graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in Asian and African Studies at HSE University in St Petersburg, participated in the final round of the ‘Chinese Bridge’ International Language Competitionin Beijing, where she won the first prize in online voting and received the Audience Award and the Award for Most Outstanding Performance. She spoke about her experience in the competition,her studies and future plans in an interview with HSE News Service.
Charming East: HSE University Hosts Anniversary Oriental Crazy Day 2024
At the end of May, HSE University hosted the traditional Oriental Crazy Day. This year the holiday was held for the tenth time. For students, this is an opportunity to show their talents on stage, take part in fortune-telling with the Book of Changes, and learn more about the diversity of Asian cultures as well as the bachelor’s programme ‘Asian and African Studies.’
Tea Ceremony, Naruto and Norigae: HSE Celebrates Year of the Green Wood Dragon
On the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice, the HSE Cultural Centre welcomed admirers of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. HSE students, teachers, and guests celebrated the Lunar New Year with South Korean hit songs and popular anime openings. They attended calligraphy and origami classes, tried regional sweets, and had Far Eastern teas. The festival ended with a big concert.
‘Asian Studies is a New High Tech for Russia’
Russia's pivot to the East requires balanced actions, as well as knowledge of the languages, cultures, and traditions of Asian countries. Without this, Russian businesses will not be able to work there effectively. Experts and government representatives discussed the issue and the experience of Russia's regions working in Asia at ‘The Pivot to the East: The Regional Dimension’, the first interregional conference held by HSE University with the support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.
Talking Chinese, Writing Articles, and Drinking Tea: What Chinese Club Students Did this Year
The HSE Chinese Student Club at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs School of Asian Studies has completed its 2021/22 season. Its participants and organisers talked to the HSE News Service about how they discuss China’s socio-economic, political, and cultural development as part of the club’s events.
Asian Studies—An Essential Subject for Students of Different Specialisations
Russian society demonstrates a growing interest in Asia and North Africa, with economic, social, political and cultural expectations associated with the macro-region. What is more, demand for educational programmes and competencies related to Asian and African studies is projected to grow in Russian universities. HSE Vice Rector Sergey Roshchin and the heads of relevant HSE departments explain the university’s past and current efforts to respond to these challenges.
Japanese Theatre, Dance and Calligraphy at Oriental Crazy Day 2022
Oriental Crazy Day is a traditional festival of the School of Asian Studies, which has been held at HSE University for eight years. This time, Asian Studies students taught guests Chinese calligraphy, Arabic script, Yemeni dancing and origami. They were also introduced to kabuki theatre and traditional Japanese drums.