Editor’s Note: Hyder Alawi is a Canadian citizen, currently studying at Tianjin University for a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. As a student reporter and international observer at the university’s Communication Office, Hyder is willing to share his life stories about TJU.

Spring has come in a glorious display of flowers, colour and marvelous spirit to Tianjin. To any new comer it would be apparent almost immediately that Tianjin University stands, as it has for over a century, as a centre of knowledge, beauty and community in this city. As in previous years, Tianjin University has opened its gates to the community for its annual Crabapple Blossom Festival, which has seen thousands of people from across the city cross its gates to enjoy the lovely blossoming of flowers along the their roads and ponds, sheltered by sturdy trees and historic buildings.

The excitement was evident to me first thing in the morning as, coming from the new campus, I noticed that the bus to the old campus had a line stretching very far and hence, I decided a taxi might be a better mode of travel.

Upon entering the East Gate

Upon entering the old campus I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors and students walking along the roads, many dressed in the latest of modern attire or such historic articles of clothing that, coupled with the historic architecture found on campus, utterly confused my sense of time.

The author as he bothers the ISO staff with terrible piano skills while his phone charges.

To celebrate the progression from one season to the next, many students organized and set up stands to entertain the local visitors and students alike, in such skills as origami, calligraphy and music and dance. Admittedly I arrived late as to indulge myself in the song and dance performances, but simply walking around the campus, observing the high spirits and smiles of the people as they all gathered in groups or in pairs to take photos of the flowers, bringing their children or grandchildren to play in one of the many parks that can be found on the campus or to enjoy a romantic walk with their significant ones was of great relief to me and a welcome break away from the research work and the general stresses of student life.

Lovely couple enjoy each others company under the willows of the pond

As I continued on observing and enjoying the festivities I decided it was time to go to the campus coffee shop for a cup of coffee and charge my phone there. However, the opportunity, to my dismay, never arose. The cafe was full to the brim with tired visitors and students all looking for a moment of peace to talk amongst their friends and family, no doubt about the spectacles that they are witnessing. Upon realizing that I would have to wait for quite some time for a seat, I decided to make my way to the International Students Office (ISO) at the International Education School to charge my phone.

Two girls dressed in cultural clothes helping each other in a photo-shoot

A group of young ladies who were kind enough to allow me to shoot some pictures specifically for this article

On my way to the ISO, I remembered a stunning sight from my past visits to the Old Campus that I should go and see on this festive occasion. Among the many exciting and visually appealing attractions the university has to offer, it seems that the most famous and highly regarded of them would be the black swans and fish housed at the Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art. Many, young to old, made it a point to leave the central festive area and all gathered at the pool within the institute, which was home to these lovely animals, to take photos of them and to feed them some vegetables and bread.

It was a great pleasure, being my first time at this festival, to witness such kindheartedness as I noticed that, despite the large crowds, everyone made way for their elders some of which with limited mobility, that they may also find comfort in seeing the younger generation keeping the traditions and values of the community alive and well. I cannot wait to see what the university has planned next.

The famous black swans at the Feng Jicai Institute of Literature and Art

An adventurous young boy climbing the stone fixtures to get a better view of the crowd

A young gentleman completely immersed in the art of photography and natural beauty

By Hyder Alawi