Mid-Fall Festival and Celebrating Cultural Unity, Tradition, and the Rebirth of an International Exchange Program
September 21 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 6:30 PM, Newton North and Newton South High Schools will host “Dawning Ties: A Gala Celebration and Fall Fundraiser” at Newton North auditorium, a spectacular evening combining the festive spirit of the Mid-Fall Festival with a renewed commitment to global exchange through the reopening of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program and the fall fundraiser by the Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF).
The Mid-Fall Festival, which was Tuesday (9/17) traditionally celebrated in China as a time for family reunions, will serve as a fitting backdrop for the evening. It is a time for coming together, and this event aims to do just that—bringing together families, friends, and students from two different sides of the globe. The gala will highlight not just the holiday’s theme of unity, but also its importance in promoting cross-cultural ties and international collaboration.
One of the most exciting aspects of the evening will be the restarting ceremony of the Newton-Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program, the oldest U.S.-China secondary school exchange program in the country. This historic partnership between Newton Public Schools and Beijing Jingshan School began in 1983 and has played a crucial role in building bridges between young people in the U.S. and China. The exchange program, which temporarily paused in recent years, is being relaunched at a time when global collaboration is more important than ever. Both students and educators are excited to see the program resume, rekindling friendships and academic exchanges that have left lasting impacts on participants from both countries. The gala’s opening ceremony will mark the official restart of this renowned program, and its significance cannot be overstated.
The cultural heart of the evening will be the highly anticipated performance by the Beijing Youth Performance Troupe from Beijing Normal University. This award-winning ensemble is known for its ability to captivate audiences with performances that blend traditional Chinese culture with contemporary artistry. For the gala, they will present folk dances, which are filled with color, movement, and emotion, is a true testament to the diversity within China and the beauty of its ethnic traditions.
