On March 7, 2025, a vibrant spring day, QMES meticulously organised and successfully hosted a “Women Are Like Flowers” handicraft event to celebrate the 115th International Women’s Day. The event not only attracted many female staff members from QMES but also saw the participation of QMES leaders and faculty from both QMES and QMUL, coming together to witness this warm and meaningful occasion.

At the beginning of the event, Fan Xiaoli, Dean of QMES, delivered an enthusiastic speech on behalf of QMES. She extended her sincerest holiday greetings and best wishes to every woman present and highly praised the indispensable contributions of female faculty members to the development of QMES. Fan Xiaoli encouraged everyone to continue contributing to the QMES’s future with passion and excellence and to shine even brighter. She also offered heartfelt advice to every woman, encouraging them to be brave and true to themselves on this special day dedicated to them and to maintain a happy and contented heart, whether striving in the workplace or the small moments of daily life.

Under the patient and detailed guidance of their instructors, the participants embarked on a journey of creative beauty. Enthusiastically engaging in the craft-making process, the teachers began with the basic technique of petal weaving. With skilled hands and boundless creativity, vibrant, lifelike flowers bloomed in their hands. Through careful arrangement and intricate wrapping, these flowers were transformed into stunning bouquets, each burst of colour seeming to carry the unique charm and elegance of the female faculty members, creating a beautiful visual display at the event.

The atmosphere at the event was both lively and warm, with the teachers gathering together to share amusing stories and insights from the crafting process while admiring each other’s creations. Laughter and joyful conversation filled the air. This interaction not only strengthened the bonds between colleagues but also allowed everyone to enjoy the pleasure and sense of achievement that comes with crafting, offering a welcome break from their busy work schedules.

The “Women Like Flowers” Craft Workshop provided a valuable opportunity for the staff of QMES to celebrate International Women’'s Day and strengthen mutual understanding. It also offered a profound experience of the essence of Chinese traditional culture and the artistic charm of women. Looking ahead, the QMES Union will continue to explore the cultural significance of traditional festivals, constantly innovate activity formats and content, and aim to enrich the cultural experience of both staff and students through broader participation. This will contribute to enhancing cultural confidence and fostering a more harmonious, positive, and progressive campus culture.

Text: Bi Jialong

Photo: Chen Xinyan

Editor: Zhang Hanen and Chen Xinyan

Translator: Shen Xinyi

Reviewer: Dai Fuping