Hainan University’s 2024 International Youth Cultural Festival kicked off on the evening of December 7 with “Party O’Clock”, an electrifying street dance performance. The event was organized under the theme “Uniting Youth in Free Trade Port, Writing a New Silk Road Chapter”.
Highlight of the Festival (Photo by Du Zhuohe)
On the spot, students from Indonesia, Congo, Afghanistan, and other countries, gave vibrant performances, showcasing their culture through music and dance. A collaborative guitar duet of “Rainbow” by Chinese and Indonesian students captivated the audience, while a traditional Chinese face-changing stunt brought cheers and applause.
In addition to the performances, the Festival included 25 cultural booths representing students from 82 countries and regions. These booths offered impressive culinary and visual experiences, with displays of national delicacies such as British scones, Vietnamese spring rolls, Thai basil chicken, and Sudanese beverages, alongside photographs and stories of local traditions and landscapes.
Highlight of the Festival (Photo by Du Zhuohe)
Vietnamese student An Hao, who was making spring rolls at her booth, introduced the ingredients: “We use cucumber, rice paper, shrimp, and greens”. As a student of Chinese language and literature at Hainan University, An Hao shared how her interest in Chinise guzheng (Chinese Zither) music inspired her to learn Chinese to better understand the rich cultural background. “This is my first year in Hainan, and this event offers a great opportunity to socialize with friends from around the world. Food has become the bridge that brings us together, creating a common language”, she said.
Highlight of the Festival (Photo courtesy of Hainan University)
The Festival also highlighted the traditional Chinese art through the booths hosted by student organizations, including the Calligraphy Club, Tea Art Club, Magic Club, and Traditional Chinese Culture Club. Students from different clubs displayed their talent, such as calligraphy, tea ceremony and magic shows, drawing large crowds.
Ivy, a student from the UK, expressed her excitement: “It’s incredible to see so many students from different countries come together. The food and cultural exchanges are fantastic, and I have learned so much about other traditions. Hainan University is so open and inclusive, and I hope to participate in more events like this to learn more about Chinese culture”.
Highlight of the Festival (Photo by Du Zhuohe)
The Festival also featured a specially-designed intercultural dialogue session, in which students from diverse backgrounds engaged in roundtable discussions and interactive games. They shared their perspectives on the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of Hainan Free Trade Port.
Highlight of the Festival (Photo by Du Zhuohe)
This Festival aimed to create a platform for multicultural exchanges, deepen connections between the youth from different backgrounds through activities and performances. It sought to promote the spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative and contribute to building equal, open, and cooperative international partnerships.
Source from HNU News
Translated by Han Yunsheng
Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie
