"Beyond the long pavilion, by the ancient road, the lush grass reaches up to the sky!" These melodious lyrics, steeped in the charm of ancient Chinese poetry, echoed as female teachers from the English Language Centre (ELC) took to the stage. Their performance led the audience in a chorus that marked a highlight of the "2024 Celebration of Thanksgiving at UIC." The song, originally penned by composer John Ordway during the American Civil War as "Dreaming of Home and Mother," was later adapted by Chinese lyricist Li Shutong into the beautifully rhythmic "Songbie" (Farewell), a song that has left an indelible mark on Chinese music history.

Music transcends borders, and cultures intersect and blend. A video at the gathering featured a century-old black disc recording: "Oft when I wake it is sweet to find, I have been dreaming of home and mother...". This was followed by the Chinese sentiment "...the ends of heaven, the corners of the earth... tonight's farewell dreams are cold." This magical fusion of human emotions from different cultures, spanning oceans and centuries, perfectly aligned with the purpose of the gathering jointly organized by the ELC, UIC Union, and Human Resources: "United as one, we are grateful for our encounter!"

The United States celebrates Thanksgiving, while China upholds the tradition of "remembering the source of one's drink." Gratitude is a universal human sentiment. UIC, as an international liberal arts institution, attracts foreign teachers and international students from all corners of the world. The blend of diverse cultures forms a distinct cultural atmosphere at UIC. The "Celebration of Thanksgiving" created a relaxed and joyful intercultural atmosphere for teachers and students through music, food, and games.

President Chen Zhi and Secretary Mao Yaqing also attended the event, mingling with teachers and students, taking photos, and interacting warmly. President Chen delivered an enthusiastic speech, affirming the significance of multicultural exchange and encouraging everyone to create wonderful memories at UIC.

The gathering featured a gratitude wall, where attendees wrote their wishes and drew turkeys. The food area offered a variety of dishes, and the "potluck table" showcased the culinary skills of ELC teachers, featuring American roast turkey, hummus, English smoked ham, potato pudding, and Chinese stuffed tofu a dumplings and skin noodles.

The enjoyable performances came from ELC teachers and guest performers from various departments. Music Department's Victor Gao and delivered a heartfelt rendition of "Stay With You" and, then along with NAME HERE, sang   "Friends," earning applause from the audience.

Foreign teacher Michael, known for his musical versatility, collaborated with students in a multi-instrumental performance of the Eagles' song "Hotel California." The Union Dance Team also contributed a beautiful Chinese dance, "Blue and White Porcelain." The fun American Football throwing particularly interested international students, who demonstrated impressive skills. Even Prof. Haipeng Guo, the Dean of the School of General Education was inspired to give it a try before delivering his speech.

As the Dean stated in his closing remarks, culture links beautiful human emotions, and exchange harmonizes cultures. We hope that such exchange activities and the multicultural atmosphere will continue to flourish in the ELC.

By Stella Yan Shi & Jonathan Corbett