On June 13, as Duanwu Festival (also known as the Dragon Boat Festival) drew near, Zhuhai Science and Technology Innovation Bureau (ZHSTIB) and Huafa MSCE jointly hosted a Duanwu ICH scented pendant workshop. Over 20 international friends from the US, Germany, Russia, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and Pakistan came together to explore intangible cultural heritage, experience Chinese seasonal wisdom and lifestyle aesthetics, and celebrate the festival amid the fragrance of herbs.

The event opened with a ceremonial hand-washing ritual. The organizer had set out a basin of water with flower petals. One by one, the international guests washed and dried their hands — a simple and graceful start to the day.

International friends wash hands following teachers' guidance. [Photo/WeChat account: HUAFA MSCE]

At the start of the event, Ms. Ke Xiaoyue, a Chinese Incense Culture promoter, introduced the origins and customs of the Duanwu Festival, as well as the cultural meaning of scented pendants. From the patriotic story of Qu Yuan, to the wellness wisdom of "aromatic therapy through clothing", and to the "monarch-minister-assistant-messenger" theory of blending fragrances — her clear and easy-to-follow explanation had the international guests nodding along, already looking forward to making their own scented pendants.

Participants learn to make scented pendants. [Photo/WeChat account: HUAFA MSCE]

As the event fell in Mangzhong (or Grain in Ear) period, one of the 24 solar terms, Ms. Ke had specially blended a fragrance formula just for this season. During the hands-on session, everyone followed her steps — mixing the powders, kneading the herbal clay, pressing it into molds, and gently unmolding the pendants. Each movement was focused and attentive. The rich aroma of agarwood, the earthy scent of patchouli, the fresh note of citronella, the gentle warmth of frankincense, and the cool clarity of borneol intertwined in the air, filling the room with the unique fragrance of Eastern herbs.

"This is my first time making a scented pendant. I didn't expect it to be so much fun!" said Shahnila from Pakistan, holding her finished piece with obvious delight. "I'm going to hang it on my bag and let this Chinese fragrance stay with me."

At the end of the event, everyone proudly displayed their scented pendants in shapes like the twelve zodiac animals, peace locks, zongzi, and pieces carved with blessings such as "Ruyi" (May things go as you wish) and "Shunsui" (May everything go smoothly). Each pendant carried a wish for health and peace. Many international friends said that through making the pendants with their own hands, they not only gained a unique keepsake, but also came to understand how Chinese people find harmony with the seasons and send blessings through herbs and nature.

This event served as a vivid practice of ZHSTIB's efforts to promote Chinese traditional culture internationally, using Duanwu scented pendants as a medium for international friends to experience the beauty of China's ICH through hands-on crafting. Going forward, ZHSTIB and Huafa MSCE will continue to build platforms for cultural exchange, creating immersive experiences that help international friends perceive and understand China, and in doing so, enhance the global influence of Chinese culture.