On June 6th, the 12th International Cultural Festival of the Liaoning Petrochemical University, hosted by the International Education college, officially opened. Guo Changyi, the then Secretary of the University Party Committee; Kong Xianghui, Secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee; He Chuan, Secretary of the General Party Branch of International Education and International Exchange; Liu Xiaoliang, Vice Dean of the School of International Education; Shi Liju, Deputy Secretary of the General Party Branch of International Education and International Exchange; leaders of various colleges, as well as heads of relevant functional departments, gathered at the event site. The activity attracted over 400 international students from 61 countries, along with Chinese teachers and students to participate enthusiastically.
Guo Changyi announced the official opening of the International Cultural Festival. The site was instantly filled with thunderous applause, cheers echoed across the campus.
This International Cultural Festival mainly consisted of two major parts: a performance section and a cultural exhibition booth section. The Fushun Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association was specially invited to bring inheritors of intangible cultural heritage projects, including local Yangko, gourd painting, and sugar figure making to support the event, adding a unique flavor of folk culture to the scene.
In the performance session, students from different countries took turns to perform on stage. Traditional dances, songs, and musical instrument performances were staged in turn, each with its own characteristics, fully demonstrating the cultural charm of various countries. Teachers and students from the international summer camp of Kazan Innovative University in Russia sang the classic song Katyusha together, conveying the profound friendship between China and Russia. The martial arts and Tai Chi performances by Chinese students were powerful and forceful in every move, allowing students from all countries to deeply feel the broad and profound nature of traditional Chinese culture. The joint performance of Bright Moon Over the World by Chinese and foreign students wove a musical picture that transcends national borders and integrates diverse cultures, highlighting the profound connotation of cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and foreign countries at this International Cultural Festival. The performance by the local Yangko inheritors ignited the enthusiasm of the entire audience. Chinese and foreign students were deeply attracted by its unique artistic charm and joined in one after another to dance together. The dance-participation session pushed the on-site atmosphere to a climax. The entire campus was immersed in a joyful, peaceful, and friendly atmosphere of integration, and the laughter and cheers of the students echoed in every corner of the campus.
The cultural exhibition booth area was bustling with activity. More than 10 exhibition booths set up on-site carried the distinctive cultures of many countries and different regions, attracting people to stop and explore. A large number of teachers and students came specially for the event, actively participated in interactive activities, carefully collected commemorative stamps, and enthusiastically communicated and took photos with students from various countries. Everyone appreciated the charm of diverse cultures in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The traditional gourd painting and sugar figure making techniques won great admiration from international students, who all gave thumbs up to the exquisite skills of Chinese craftsmen.
This International Cultural Festival not only narrowed the distance between students through cultural exchanges and built solid and beautiful bridges of friendship but also injected vigorous new vitality into the multi-cultural exchanges on campus. It demonstrated the university's sense of responsibility and youthful charm in actively promoting international cultural exchanges and contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Author: Zhao Zhitian; Proofreader: Shi Liju; Reviewers: He Chuan/Yang Jiawei; Photographer: Li Chenxu, Ma Xuezhi)
