On November 28, “One World One CCIT” the 6th International Cultural Exchange Festival of our college grandly opened at the square in front of the First Canteen. Co-hosted by the School of Overseas Education and the Youth League Committee, the opening ceremony attracted nearly 200 Chinese and foreign faculty and students. Party and government leaders including Cheng Jianhua, Secretary of the Party Committee, Fei Yunsheng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Jiang Qinghua, Member of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and Tao Dawei, Member of the Party Committee and Vice President, as well as heads of relevant departments, attended the event.
Cheng Jianhua delivered an opening speech, stating that the International Cultural Exchange Festival not only provides opportunities for international students from around the world to showcase themselves and enhance their capabilities but also serves as a bridge to spread diverse cultures and foster mutual understanding. He hoped that through this event, the campus culture would be further enriched, the spiritual outlook of faculty and students elevated, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Chinese and foreign youth further promoted.
The cultural performances by Chinese and foreign students presented a visual and auditory feast for the on-site teachers and students. Guozi Band ignited the atmosphere first with two dynamic songs, Ring Road and Emily. Their tacit coordination and superb performance won rounds of applause. Next, the Jiaoyang Dance Troupeskillfully integrated modern and traditional elements in their dance medley. Thai international students showcased the unique charm of Thai culture through a medley of northeastern Thai folk songs. The duetThe Beat of the Heart allowed the audience to feel the beauty and passion of youth with its delicate and gentle rhythm. As a highlight, the Muay Thai performance was full of strength and skill, making the teachers and students deeply realize that it is not just a fighting technique but also a symbol of lifestyle and spirit. The Yangqin performanceFarewell Poem and Bawu performance Ganbaiby the Yinlang Instrumental Ensemble were rich in ethnic customs, demonstrating the unique charm of traditional Chinese musical instruments. Finally, the Blue Dream Choir brought the opening ceremony to a successful close with a medley of songs Slow and Silence. Their melodious singing conveyed sincere emotions, marking a perfect end to the cultural exchange festival’s artistic performances.
In addition to watching the cultural performances, teachers and students could also immerse themselves in experiencing traditional Chinese fun games on site, such as Chuiwan (ancient Chinese golf), touhu (arrow throwing), hoop tossing, shuttlecock kicking, hoop rolling, and puzzle. As an important part of China’s excellent traditional culture, these games embody rich historical heritage and unique cultural charm. Beyond mere entertainment, they allow teachers and students to deeply understand and experience the cultural traditions of the Chinese nation, feeling the continuity and uniqueness of the culture.
Prior to this, international students from the School of Overseas Education had already been preparing for the Cultural Exchange Festival. They not only actively participated in the campus food festival and carefully prepared the opening cultural performances but also will subsequently carry out a series of activities, including intangible cultural heritage experiences, themed cultural salons on “Chinese and Foreign Traditional Festivals”, and friendly football matches between Chinese and foreign teachers and students.
The “One World One CCIT” International Cultural Exchange Festival, as an annual international cultural celebration painstakingly crafted by the college, is not only a vital component of the school’s internationalization efforts but also a significant window to showcase its achievements in cultivating international talent and convey the Chinese story and the spirit of Changzhou College of Information Technology (CCIT). Through cultural exchanges, the college aims to build a more diverse and inclusive campus cultural atmosphere, nurture students’ global vision and cross-cultural communication capabilities, and cultivate high-skilled professionals with international competence.
(Text by Liu Hui, Photos by School of Overseas Education, Reviewed by Wang Hongkai, Zhang Yu, Ren Wenjun)