Given the chance, would you rather be a PowerPoint memorizer or a dream-maker? So many students are tired of reading and memorizing PowerPoints. Why not choose the latter, the dream making? CCMs Event Planning and Management course will let you just be that. It will make you smile with satisfaction. Throughout this course,students apply what they learn and use their own creativity to make their dreams come true - in our case, a splendid culture festival! Here students not only learn how to plan and conduct an event, but also to boost their creativity and display the vitality brought about by inspired team work.

Starting with a general brainstorming session, the arguably most handsome, charming and intelligent teacher in UIC - Dr. Barend Pieter VENTER - guided students step by step. He taughts students through vivid explanations and humorous examples, making students learn in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. He also encouraged students to put their knowledge into practice, improving their ability to handle affairs through personal experience.

The Eisteddfod (derived from the Welsh for sit and be, a sitting down together) is a festival originating from Wales and dating back to at least the 12th century, when a festival of poetry and music was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan in 1176, bringing together druids, bards and minstrel singers. Over the centuries it became a large showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more. On 16 December 2020, the first Eisteddfod was held at UIC and it included a variety of famous cultures or activities from many countries, including Tango, Curry, Opera, Ballet, Carnival, Beatles, Shakespeare, Picasso, K-pop, Tintin, Choral Singing, James Bond 007, and St Patrick's Day. Each festival booth had its own exhibition format, which presented the characteristics of one of the festival themes. For examples, some stands created a game of their own design; some stands provided photo frames or models that could be used as photo decorations; others presented different aspects of national culture, such as music, literature, art, and film. Students arranged their booths in different styles by using colorful decorations, such as panels, pamphlets, literature, pictures, and paintings.

When visitors walked through this exhibition, they visited the wonderful scenes and cultural connotations from all over the world, leaving a deep impression. What is also worth mentioning here is that Dr. Venter wanted to use this exhibition to commemorate his good friend, the late Professor Brian Clarke, former Dean of DDC, who was born in Wales.

The festival took a lot of work to organize. The Wales group had the following feelings and experiences to share: "We had a common vision. During the pre-production process, all five members were detail-oriented and self-motivated, because we have a common vision C to display Welsh culture in an impressive way. To bring our vision into reality, we had countless meetings, one even lasted for 11 hours during a weekend; we set up our stand at night in 10?C weather. All these efforts lead to what we wanted to present during the event. When we had made all these things come true, we felt proud of ourselves. We were really lucky to have this course. Thank you, Ben, thank you, dear friends."

And just as Welsh anthems sing - Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri' -- a land full of poets and singers, there was music to be heard at the Welsh booth. UICers might not have the most beautiful voices, the most magnificent literary talent, or the most gorgeous dance moves, however, UIC is a land full of golden hearts and pure souls that are forever embracing sharing and learning, a land with countless school clubs, lunch concerts, music and literature competitions, you name it - a land steeped in art and literature.

The Eisteddfod is a lever to move the whole world, and everybody can be assured that there will be many more Eisteddfods to come. Stay tuned!