International tea Ceremony in an Orphanage
On December 14th head of the Regional Ministry of Internal Affairs V. Pesterev and a representative of Belgorod State Technological University named after V.G. Shukhov, Head of students department at International Center for International Education and Cooperation D.S. Nosachev visited an orphanage in the town of Severny. On International festival " Tea Day " the children were visited not only by their old friends , but also by BSTU international students: Hao Jin Xiang from China, Jonathan Mulenga from Zambia and Naresh Kumar from India.
The guests were welcomed by the old Russian tradition - in national costumes and " bread and salt" . Introducing the university students with their successes and plans for the future, the welcoming hosts and the visitors got together round the table with homemade bagels , cakes , jam and honey.
The story of one of the most popular drinks is rooted in the distant past. The tea ceremony has rich national traditions. It is not accidentally that the orphanage was visited not only by those who live in Belgorod , but also representatives of the countries - leaders of the tea industry .
Of the many varieties of Chinese tea : yellow, black , green, white , Hao Jin Xiang (just Chian for friends) introduced green tea, from the southern part of the country and said how it is grown , served and , most importantly, how this drink is made. Everyone had the opportunity to participate in a unique Chinese tea ceremony .
Chian and his assistant Yoo told the children about the first Chinese emperor , who used tea as medicine and told about the modern culture of tea salons Beijing.
It is interesting that in China, young people under 30 years old are not recommended to drink tea. In the morning they drink milk, including soybean milk, rice water, or broth . But after 30 years old men are recommended to drink green tea , and women - black. In Zambia everyone drinks tea . And, like in Russia, people invite guests, get together for a large communal table. In China, tea is served without sugar and sweets, a" Zambian tea party " is marked by an abundance of pastries and sweets. And again this cannot be said about India - the second country - a leader in the manufacture of this wonderful drink .
Naresh Kumar told about the history of the Indian tea. This is his first year at the university , so he is not very fluent in Russian . Help in translating was provided by a Zambian friend Jonathan .
Having offered Indian black tea, Naresh noted that it is necessary to add milk, sugar if desired . But no desert to it is offered. Upon arrival to Russia the young man was very surprised by our culture of tea drinking. The foreign guests were even more amazed when seeing a Russian samovar on coals.
The children diligently prepared for this meeting. Continuously pouring tea to their guests, with a hint of continuing the conversation, the guys acquainted the foreign students with historical milestones Russian tea culture .
In turn, Viktor Nikolaevich told about tea traditions of his large family. His grandmother always gather all the relatives around the table who could meet in warm and sincere atmosphere, talk and enjoy the fragrant and aromatic tea .
Especially for unusual event the organizers prepared another surprise . In order to give an opportunity for foreign friends to touch the pages of Russian history, a mini-exhibition with several rare Tula samovars was made.
Traditionally , all participants of the meeting exchanged themed gifts. In response, the guys invited guests at Russian Maslenitsa Festival .