Fingerpainting in China is a centuries-old technique of painting with the fingertips, hands and fingernails. On February 27th, the Confucius Institute of Mae Fah Luang University held the second Chinese Fingertips Art Competition-a handmade works competition. Fifty-four teams from northern Thailand participated from elementary and middle schools, with more than two hundred Thai students. The schools sent their best contestants.



The Confucius Institute combined the fingerpainting competition with other handmade works in order to highlight their cultural significance. In the opening ceremony, Ye Hu, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, pointed out the high popularity of Chinese Fingerpainting. He also stressed the goal of enabling Thai students to better understand Chinese culture through fingerpainting and other handmade works. Director Ye praised the Thai students’ ingenuity and hoped they all would get good grades.



In the two-and-a-half-hour live segment, contestants were divided into cooperative groups with each player doing part of the labor. The students demonstrated a clear understanding of their job assignments with their high efficiency. 2014 is the Chinese Lunar Year of the Horse, and the Chinese carriage model-making also attracted many Thai teachers and students. Spectators highly praised its refined decorations, especially the contestants’ accurate grasp of the details of horses.



During the show, contestants explained the cultural significance of handicrafts in Chinese to judges and the audience. Their standard Chinese pronunciation, strong practical ability and good understanding of Chinese culture were praised by the audience and judges.



Contestants were graded on the sophistication, innovation and integrity of their entries. Teams from Chiang Rai received first prize for the middle school and elementary school competitions.



At the closing ceremony, Director Ye highly praised the players performances. He then awarded the winners certificates and took pictures with them.