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The 7th South China Normal University International Cultural Festival, a highlight of the university's 92nd anniversary celebration series, kicked off at the Shipai campus on November 23. Under the theme "Window to the World, Bond with China, Heart of SCNU", the festival aims to foster an inclusive campus culture, establish a top-tier campus cultural brand, and promote mutual learning among civilizations.
The opening ceremony started with a parade of representatives from 26 countries, entering the venue holding their national flags and wearing distinctive traditional costumes. From the mysterious elegance of Asia and the romantic chic of Europe to the passionate exuberance of Africa and the vibrant energy of the Americas, the students’ displays offered a vivid testament to cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
The representatives hold their national flags at the ceremony.
Chen Xiaofang, deputy Secretary of the CPC SCNU Committee, delivered a speech at the ceremony. He elaborated on the university’s open and inclusive educational philosophy, highlighting the theme’s core connotations: appreciating the charm of diverse civilizations, upholding fine traditional Chinese culture, and nurturing talents with cross-cultural communication skills.
Chen Xiaofang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.
The artistic segment featured performances that served as cultural bridges. International students from various countries presented “The 15th National Games: A Dance of Blazing Youth”, a piece that blended traditional elements with modern appeal, using powerful rhythms and spirited movements to express innovative interpretations of Chinese culture through a youthful lens.
Students from Indonesia followed with a medley of Chinese and Indonesian classic songs, building a musical bridge across the seas. Accompanied live on keyboard and guitar, they also sang "Youth Rendezvous, Our Anthem," the official theme song for the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China.
The festival featured cultural booths from over ten countries and regions, complemented by “flash mob” performances that allowed visitors and participants to experience different cultures up close.
An Indonesian group dance ignited the atmosphere with its light and lively steps, conveying the joyful rhythm of tropical islands.
A pair of dancers attracted the crowd with their free and unrestrained South American duet, and the lively rhythm conveyed the optimistic spirit of Latin American culture.
Some students from Turkmenistan, with their powerful singing and bold dancing, recreated the vast and picturesque scene of the Central Asian grasslands.
A graceful Thai duo performed quietly in a corner, while a Georgian soloist danced to ancient rhythms showing flavors from the Caucasus, and a Turkish pair demonstrated steady steps and striking poise.
These vibrant performances, like a microcosm of world culture, allowed teachers and students to experience the charm of different countries firsthand during their stroll, reflecting the dynamic interplay of cultures at SCNU. Lei Yajin, a student from Latvia, said she found the performance by the students from Turkmenistan particularly inspiring and was surprised to discover such talent among her peers.
Lei Yajin comes from Latvia.
In addition to the various performances, cultural booths from France, Russia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Turkey and other countries and regions attracted numerous students and teachers. Dressed in traditional costumes, international students displayed their countries’ and regions’ specialty cuisine and cultural products. Meanwhile, Chinese booths featuring hot pot skewers, hot pepper soup, Chinese tea, and Spring Festival couplets highlighted the charm of fine traditional Chinese culture.
As participants visit cultural booths, they can receive different festival "passport" and exchange it for exclusive gifts after collecting stamps from all the booths.
The special passport for the festival.
A French student dressed in the same colors of the French flag, red, white and blue, and helped decorate her country's booth with their national flag and a model of the Eiffel Tower. Other French students baked crêpes for visitors to enjoy. She said that the festival serves as an excellent platform for students from different countries and regions to communicate and exchange ideas.
Students from France promote French culture.
Luuk, a Dutch student, dressed head-to-toe in orange, the national color of the Netherlands. He also brought a tulip, the country’s national flower, and said that he thoroughly enjoyed the festival. He not only performed a Chinese lion dance at the opening ceremony, but also engaged with visitors at various booths. “Everything here has surprised me,” he said. “This festival allows us to learn from one another.”
Luuk comes from the Netherlands.
The multicultural gala not only provided a broad platform for the international publicity of the Chinese language and fine traditional Chinese culture, but also injected fresh vitality into multicultural exchange and mutual learning.
Source from the School of International Culture
Translated by Tang Ying, Li Shiyao
Proofread by Edwin Baak
Edited by Li Jianru
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