By: Peishi Yu
The 2026 annual Washington Chinese Culture Festival held in Washington D.C. on August 29 brought visitors flocking to see the richness and vitality of Chinese culture. Among the myriad showcases, the Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC) booth stood out with its theme of “Experience Chinese Culture!” Through hands-on activities led by youth volunteers, visitors of all ages were invited to explore Chinese culture in fun and riveting ways.
Three Interactive Ways to Experience Chinese Culture
The CYOC booth offered three popular activities: Chinese culturally inspired temporary tattoos, Chinese water calligraphy, and a Chinese culture quiz.
Visitors enjoyed Chinese-inspired huadian (花钿) and panda temporary tattoos, offering a fun and interactive introduction to Chinese cultural imagery and aesthetics.
At the water calligraphy station, visitors used a traditional brush and practiced writing out Chinese characters using water on water writing cloth, with many experiencing Chinese calligraphy for the first time.
The cultural quiz invited visitors to pick a handmade slip with questions testing their knowledge of Chinese festivals, traditions, and symbols, with small Chinese-themed gifts adding to the fun.
Where Tradition Meets Technology
A separate 3D-printing exhibit featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac animals also attracted considerable attention. Combining traditional Chinese cultural symbols with modern technology, the exhibit offered a creative and contemporary way to experience Chinese heritage.
During the festival, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also visited the exhibit area and briefly interacted with the CYOC youth volunteers.
From Showcasing Culture to Experiencing Culture
The CYOC booth went beyond simply displaying culture—it invited visitors to participate, create, and connect.
From traditional calligraphy to modern 3D printing, from Chinese-inspired temporary tattoos to cultural trivia, CYOC youth brought energy and creativity to the festival, giving Chinese culture a fresh and engaging voice.
Through youth, culture finds a voice.
Through innovation, tradition finds new expression.
Through action, communities come closer together.
That was the spirit CYOC’s young volunteers brought to the 2026 Washington Chinese Culture Festival.
Website Editor: Grace Yan
华府青年 CYOC 
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