The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival

The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival

The Magical Chinese Lantern Festival is one that attracts a multitude of attendees, most of who are usually not Chinese. Despite being a source of entertainment and adventure for many, the festival boasts as richly educative and supportive of the Chinese culture. As I visited the different stands in the festival, I got to learn more things about the Chinese culture, and I as well got entertained altogether. The festival is open for all ages, and even children below the age of four get free entry. The festival runs for six weeks from Thursdays to Sundays. I think that showcasing the culture and education of the Chinese in the United States makes the festival a public diplomacy tool by the people’s republic of china.

I think that holding the Chinese Lantern Festival is a public diplomacy method because of the various exchanges of culture and values that are witnessed during the event. This festival fosters a better mutual understanding between the Chinese people and the United States of America. The festival ensures that the goodness of the Chinese culture spreads in the country, and more likely make the country a better ally. A lot is learned during these six weeks, and the bonds that are created between countries are essential; for the socio-economic progress of both nations. The festival gave me an opportunity to learn the different cultures of the Chinese, as well as gather as much knowledge of their history. I feel that Public diplomacy is a necessary tool for international cohesion. It uses a nation’s culture and historical knowledge to build better alliances by displaying that culture and hopes that more foreigners will be attracted to them by the same.

The event is classified in cultural diplomacy that lies under public diplomacy. This is due to the nature of Chinese history that was displayed in artworks all over the festival. The Chinese government does want good relations with the United States. Because of that reason, it entails its value system to the United States in the form of festivals hoping that it may get a good following. Culture is expected to attract people into loving China and thus making it reach to the position it so much admires. I, therefore, think that the Chinese Lantern Festival was organized to get to foster better relationships, achieve given objectives internationally, and even get closer to the United States of America. The festival attracted so many visitors, and therefore it was very vital in spreading the Chinese culture diplomacy quest.

Cultural diplomacy is vital for introducing soft power to any nation. Soft power, as the name states, is a form of control done indirectly. Soft power can be achieved either by getting to induce policies into a country or either way being in a decision making level in a given state. Being able to set policies can mostly be achieved by providing grants and any other type of help to the desired country. If a country is self-sufficient, such as the United States, then the only possible way is through cultural diplomacy. With such festivals, thousands of people get to learn the Chinese culture while some even start learning the language since they are attracted to the way of life that depicts Chinese. Due to the Chinese food showcased at the festival, more have been trying to prepare Chinese meals since while others have been trying out Chinese restaurants as well. By the end of the festival, the number that shall have embraced Chinese culture will have made the event successful. The hard work will have paid off. Cultural diplomacy remains a vital tool in this smart era, where nations are more keen at creating allies than in creating enemies.

Cultural diplomacy is just like war, and it requires a lot of time and preparation for it to be successful. However, different from the old ages, the new version of fighting is done peacefully through cultural diplomacy. Diplomacy ensures there is a peaceful environment and that no violence is encouraged. Cultural diplomacy makes the process even more exciting by bringing on entertainment and long histories of the evolution of the same culture. I feel that holding a festival that has a productive aesthetic value, of culture, and country history is very critical; in winning the hearts and minds of different people from other nations globally. Either that they now enroll in Chinese classes, start finding out on how to make Chinese dishes at their home or otherwise visit the origin of all this amazement that is brought to them in delicious bits. Culture diplomacy is, therefore, a softer dimensional approach towards having a bit of control in any country internationally. Power and influence go hand in hand, and consequently, I think that nations must compete for some influence in a civilized manner. Culture festivals perform that function effortlessly.

China is a country that is working very hard to attain a respected status quo. To receive less criticism, it is essential to have a substantial amount of influence on as many nations as possible. This will be beneficial in terms of security and expansion of technology globally. These objectives have been perfectly catered for by the cultural diplomacy festivals. The Chinese Lantern Festivals was so colored and beautiful, and it attracted so many people that before then never knew anything about China as a nation. Due to the little culture available in the United States, more people are appreciating the Chinese history and taking it as their own. The large numbers of Confucius institutions do explain the urgent need it is for more people to learn and understand Chinese as a culture, and finally as a way of life. Chinese restaurants have opened in so many places, and their food is appreciated worldwide for health as well as nutritional benefits.

The magical Chinese lantern cultural festival is undeniably a great source of income for the United States and also an excellent example of cultural diplomacy to China. Additionally, I found the festival very educative, and it served as a critical reminder that despite the ethnic differences between us, we should live together in harmony internationally. Adopting cultures and foods from different countries is a very fulfilling desire for most people. However, it should be noted with concern that soft power is not a myth. Individuals should learn to question histories, policies, and relations with any foreign partners. In the coming years, there should be more scrutiny at the extent to which foreign culture has on policymaking and to other vital plans of each particular country. It will be a dream come true for me to enjoy and learn a new culture without the fear of soft power.