Students celebrated the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the
prestigious
Tsinghua
University in many unique ways on Sunday, despite fears of
SARS.
"Salute the medical staff who work at the frontline of the fight
against SARS!", "Please write down your blessings and make them fly
with the paper crane" were some of the slogans, together with
colorful paper cranes hanging along the main road of Tsinghua,
drawing many passers-by to write their blessing and making paper
cranes themselves.
The "paper crane action" was jointly launched by the university's
volunteer team and Love-Heart Association to encourage every
student to make a paper crane to express respect and blessings for
medical staff. Within the past two days, nearly 3,000 paper cranes
were sent to the organizers.
As
all grand celebration ceremonies have been canceled due to the SARS
virus, students from the university's art troupe volunteered to
perform beside the No.10 dining hall.
Folk dancing, drum shows as well as cross talk performances all
received enthusiastic applause.
It
was very obvious that the SARS panic was dispelled from the campus
as students were at every corner of the university, in corridors,
study rooms, libraries and gardens to continue their study,
exercise and academic discussion.
On
the university's website, many students left their sincere words at
this special day, saying that when they grew old, this sunny
spring, together with the face masks, soaps and the SARS panic as
well as their optimism would remain in their memories.
Some students also expressed their great confidence in conquering
the potentially lethal disease, saying Tsinghua students would
build a bright future for the motherland with their knowledge,
wisdom and good health.
(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2003)