BGEMS successfully hosted the 3rd Annual Mandarin Language Exhibition in Lexington.
On a bright spring day under warm sunshine, after careful preparation, the 3rd Annual Mandarin Language Exhibition, presented by BG Education Management Solutions, Inc. (BGEMS), was successfully held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.
The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center is one of the local city’s important cultural landmarks, integrating performances, exhibitions, and community activities, and equipped with professional stage, lighting, and sound systems. BGEMS chose this venue this year in order to provide participants with a more professional stage to fully showcase their talents and skills.
This year’s exhibition brought together 13 K–12 schools from different regions across the United States, with nearly 100 participants. The competition was divided into three categories: Chinese Song Performance, Chinese Recitation/Speech, and Chinese Cultural Arts (including dance, musical instruments, and painting).
Each category was further divided into three levels: elementary school, middle school, and high school. In each level, first, second, and third place winners received gold, silver, and bronze medals. In addition, one “Best Performance Award” was selected across all levels within each category, and winners were awarded a specially customized BGEMS championship gold belt.
To accommodate students from out-of-state lower grades who were unable to attend in person, the organizing committee also launched a short video competition, allowing students to showcase their Chinese language talents through creative video productions.
In addition to participants, the organizing committee also recognized the teachers who worked behind the scenes. To encourage and thank their strong support, awards such as the “Best Organization Award” and “Outstanding Instructor Award” were established.
After a rigorous preliminary selection process, a total of 50 performances and 5 short videos were selected for the final competition:
At 10:00 AM, the 3rd Annual Mandarin Language Exhibition officially opened to the public. BGEMS Chinese teachers carefully designed eight immersive cultural experience activities, including: chopsticks challenges, shuttlecock kicking, calligraphy, paper cutting, lacquer fan making (a National Intangible Cultural Heritage), Peking Opera mask painting, lantern painting, and traditional Chinese costume try-on.
The lacquer fan activity, newly added this year, was also the most popular activity. Visitors created lacquer fans by hand and experienced the unique charm and artistic beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship through hands-on practice. Colors blended and flowed on the water surface, and each fan formed a unique pattern—making it both interactive and highly memorable as a keepsake.
At 11:45 AM, Martin, CEO of BGEMS, delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming guests and participants, thanking the organizing committee, judges, and volunteers, and wishing all contestants great success.
The Chinese song category featured performances such as A Girl Like Summer, A Girl Like Autumn, Courage, Little Love Song, and Fate in This Life, showcasing diverse musical styles and rich emotions. Students expressed their understanding and love for Chinese songs through sincere and heartfelt performances.
The recitation and speech category was equally impressive, featuring works such as You Are the April of This World, If I Were a Horse, and Our School’s Chinese New Year. Participants demonstrated strong fluency and clear expression, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The cultural arts category was rich and diverse, ranging from dance and instrumental music to visual arts. Traditional Chinese dance performances were elegant and expressive, reflecting deep cultural meaning. Creative and colorful artworks added a strong artistic atmosphere to the venue, while musical performances blending Chinese and Western elements deeply impressed the audience.
After a series of exciting performances and intense competition, the awards ceremony brought the event to its climax. All participants received certificates of recognition, while outstanding contestants received medals, trophies, and cash prizes based on ranking.
Winners of the “Best Performance Award” proudly received championship gold belts symbolizing honor. The “Outstanding Instructor Award” and “Best Organization Award” recognized teachers’ dedication and schools’ teamwork.
At the end of the event, students and teachers gathered for group photos and said their farewells. This event not only improved students’ Chinese language abilities, but also strengthened friendships and deepened their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. The audience also gained a more direct and immersive experience of traditional Chinese culture through stage performances and cultural activities.
