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Math Drama "Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci": A Mathematical Dialogue Across East and West

November 20, 2025

On the afternoon of November 18th, SHSID high school students presented the fourth self-written, self-directed, and self-performed original math drama, "Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci," to both online and offline audiences with great passion. Based on the true historical story of Ming Dynasty scientist Xu Guangqi and Italian missionary Matteo Ricci, the play utilized various dramatic techniques—such as a dual-timeline narrative, a fusion of Chinese and Western instrumental music, dynamic backdrops, and real-time sound effects—to recreate the profound dialogue between these two pioneers in mathematics, astronomy, language, and culture, showcasing a remarkable convergence of wisdom across time and space.


In the drama, we followed Xu Guangqi's journey from his study in Jiangnan to the imperial observatory in the capital, witnessing how his open-mindedness led him to collaborate with Matteo Ricci in translating "Elements," introducing axiomatic thinking and infusing new vitality into traditional Chinese mathematics. From the initial encounter symbolized by the "abacus and quill" to the coining of terms like "parallel" and "geometry"; from the intense clash between old and new calendars during the debate on lunar eclipses, to the final dialogue on a snowy night between the two dear friends about the boundless nature of truth—each scene vividly portrayed the meeting, collision, and fusion of Eastern and Western civilizations through the language of mathematics. This was not merely a historical reenactment, but an intellectual enlightenment. Under the theme "Mastering Both to Achieve Excellence," the students explored how the practical wisdom of "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" and the rigorous logic of "Elements" complement each other, jointly laying the cornerstone of modern mathematics. On stage, the students embodied Xu Guangqi, Matteo Ricci, officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and common townsfolk, performing a historical play about faith, truth, and courage. Offstage, the creation of mathematical terminology, the construction of axiomatic systems, and the inheritance of the scientific spirit quietly took root in the students' hearts.



The journey of this drama, from the initial spark of creative inspiration to its successful final staging, spanned several months of meticulous refinement. Balancing their academic workload, the students immersed themselves deeply in script discussions, character exploration, and stage rehearsals, eloquently conveying the inner world of historical figures and the essence of mathematical thought. The math and drama teachers provided unwavering guidance throughout the process, offering professional and detailed advice on historical research, the interpretation of mathematical concepts, and dramatic structure. This scientific dialogue spanning four centuries embodied the collective dedication of teachers and students, shining through in every detail.



Following the performance, Principal Ma affectionately recalled the growth and transformation of students over the past four years, from the first math drama to this latest one, on their journey of integrating mathematics and drama. He highly praised the participating students for achieving a professional performance standard within a short timeframe and acknowledged the tremendous efforts made by both teachers and students during the rehearsal process. Principal Ma particularly emphasized that this year's production not only demonstrated a harmonious blend of mathematics and drama but also diversified the performance through multimedia technology, immersive live instrument, etc., reflecting the students' comprehensive development in teamwork, artistic expression, and interdisciplinary integration. Seeing successive cohorts of students’ progress from the mathematical drama stage to renowned universities worldwide, he expressed firm belief that this educational practice—integrating Chinese and Western wisdom while embracing inclusivity and innovation—will continue to unlock students' potential, enabling them to pioneer new frontiers in human knowledge and civilization through inheritance.Let us look forward to more wonderful math drama productions in the future!



(Written by High School Math Department    Picture by School Affairs Center of High School     Reviewed by Ying Gu, Chenli Shen)