On May 16, the Fifth International Cultural Festival was held at Beijing Foreign Studies University under the theme “Youth Across Continents, Carnival in Full Bloom.” The event showcased the university’s multicultural integration and open, inclusive international campus environment. Zhao Gang, a member of the university’s Party Standing Committee and vice president, attended the event to offer guidance and extend greetings to staff members.
Representatives from the Exit-Entry Administration Brigade of the Haidian Public Security Bureau, as well as officials responsible for international student affairs from universities including Communication University of China, Minzu University of China, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Capital Normal University, Capital Medical University and China University of Geosciences Beijing, joined faculty members, Chinese and international students, and alumni representatives to witness the vibrant celebration of global cultures and youthful vitality.
At the opening ceremony, Li Maolin, director of the Overseas Students Affairs Office, said the International Cultural Festival has become a hallmark of BFSU’s international campus and an important platform for exchanges among young people from around the world. He noted that the university is currently home to more than 1,300 international students from 100 countries, helping foster an open and inclusive campus atmosphere. He encouraged Chinese and international youth to build bridges through culture, strengthen bonds through friendship, and use their youthful energy to promote mutual learning among civilizations, peace and friendship, and global development.
The opening ceremony began with a string quartet performance of “Auld Lang Syne” by members of the university’s Classical Music Association, with five Chinese and international students demonstrating how music and art transcend borders. A Chinese and international student martial arts team, formed by the BFSU International Volunteer Service Alliance under the guidance of instructor Hu Shaohui from the Department of PE and Research, performed “The Beauty of Harmony,” a presentation of Baduanjin exercises that highlighted the charm of traditional Chinese qigong. Students from Russia and Austria also performed the song “Ascending the Spring Peak,” bringing the spirit of youth to life through lively music.
Following the ceremony, a campus parade featuring student representatives from around the world officially began. Nearly 200 Chinese and international students, dressed in traditional ethnic costumes from different countries, gathered at the Cultural Plaza before parading along the tree-lined campus roads with songs, dances, and cheerful celebration. The colorful procession created a vivid panorama of world cultures, while enthusiastic spectators lined the route, immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere of cultural exchange and youthful energy.
During the student arts salon segment, students from Malaysia, Austria, Japan, Indonesia, Madagascar, Cambodia, Russia and other countries took turns performing traditional dances and songs unique to their cultures. The performances infused the carnival with rich artistic appeal and cultural vibrancy.
Cultural exhibition booths from countries around the world, alongside a Chinese culture exhibition area, remained open throughout the day. Traditional costumes, specialty foods, handicrafts, and folk performances offered visitors an immersive cultural experience. The Chinese culture section showcased the richness of traditional Chinese heritage through elements such as Hanfu attire, Chinese opera, and folk arts. The Exit-Entry Administration Brigade of the Haidian Public Security Bureau also set up a dedicated booth in the China exhibition area to answer international students’ questions regarding Chinese laws and regulations, residence permits, study policies, employment, and internships in China.
The International Cultural Festival is one of BFSU’s signature cultural events and has become an important platform for showcasing the university’s international education and global outlook. The event also reflects the university’s role as a major hub for international communication and global talent cultivation in China.
