HZNU's 6th Int'l Culture Festival celebrated with hearts and dreams across continents

The solar term Xiaoman, or Grain Buds, signifies a period  when rivers swell and all things flourish and a season of hope and romance. On May 20, at Hangzhou Normal University (HZNU), the cultural "heatwave" spanning five continents ignited even earlier than the summer weather.

If you had walked into the Cangqian campus the other day, you might have wondered if you’d suddenly been teleported to the United Nations. Yes, the much-anticipated 6th International Culture Festival of HZNU was in full swing! With students from over 70 countries and more than 500 Chinese and international faculty, students, and friends gathered together, the campus had transformed into an immersive "global village."

Young people from five continents take the stage

As the rousing melody rang out, representatives from 26 countries entered the arena one by one, flags held high and steps resolute. At that moment, youthful faces of all colors merged into a flowing rainbow, radiating the vitality and ambition of young people from around the world. The classic "Dream Trip in Zhejiang" opening number, My Future Is Not a Dream, burst onto the stage with an upbeat rhythm that instantly electrified the crowd.

"Openness drives development, exchange fosters mutual understanding," said Jin Shengwei, Vice President of Hangzhou Normal University, in his address, capturing the true essence of the event. In his view, this was not just a celebration, but a bridge for Chinese and international students to interact, learn from each other, and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Chasing dreams in China

If the performances were a feast for the eyes, the "Five Dreams" themed sharing session was a collision of hearts and minds. Five international student representatives, each from a different country, spoke emotionally about their "dream-chasing journeys" in China, focusing on five themes: academic excellence, scientific research, social practice, volunteer service, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

At the same time, the "Zhejiang YOUNG China Talk" Chinese and International Student Presentation Group was officially established. This means that these passionate young international ambassadors will become the new "youth voices" telling Chinese stories and spreading multicultural understanding.

Country booths go all out!

If the main stage was a symphony, the outdoor garden party was a lively folk song. Booths from more than 30 countries lined up in a row, where the elegance of Europe, the tang of Southeast Asia, and the warmth of Africa collided and mingled.

"I visited almost every booth! This is my third time at the cultural festival, and every year brings new surprises!" exclaimed Abbad Ossama, a third-year student from Morocco, who excitedly held up his phone and, with the keen eye of a content creator, captured every wonderful moment. He described the day with three words: diverse, energetic, and memorable.

At the Thailand booth, Rattanadechakul Krittanut had a different perspective. "This time, I wasn't just a participant -- I was an organizer." Wiping away sweat, he said with pride, "Organizing a booth takes a huge amount of time, energy, and teamwork, but seeing people appreciate our culture made it all worth it." He summed up his experience with three words: dedication, diversity, and eye-opening.

Awadh Lutf Saleem Mohammed from Yemen, also attending for the third time, wore his traditional ethnic costume and beamed with joy. "Every time feels even better than the last. Can you imagine? Yemeni henna, Central Asian pilaf, Thai milk tea, Vietnamese spring rolls -- all in one place. The feeling of vibrancy, inspiration, and being unforgettable is something you can only truly experience by being here."

What's more, students from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University offered Tui Na massage and pulse diagnosis, drawing long lines at their booth. Meanwhile, the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University served up delicious Pakistani cuisine. This was no ordinary cultural festival -- it was an expo of international food and intangible cultural heritage.

The human touch behind the international fair

Amid the excitement, there was also warmth. Certificates were awarded to a group of "Campus Safety International Student Ambassadors" and "International Student Dormitory Assistants." This was not just an honor, but a vivid example of international students taking the initiative to integrate into campus life and participate in its governance.

Rudakemwa Hidaya from Rwanda, attending for the second time, said emotionally, "What moved me the most was seeing people from different countries proudly sharing their own cultures while also appreciating others' traditions. That feeling of everyone coming together and appreciating each other -- it was so beautiful." She walked away with new cultural knowledge, unforgettable memories, and most importantly, "confidence in cross-cultural communication."

What impressed Russian student Levakina Taisiia the most was the sense of unity among students from different countries: "Just like last year, students from Yemen and other Arab countries started dancing together, with many other students gathering around to watch. Later, they moved to the stage and kept dancing, and students from other countries joined in. Even though they were wearing different national costumes, at that moment, they forgot their differences and felt nothing but joy, connection, and true unity. They looked so natural and at ease, completely in their element."

As the sun set, the group photo of all the teachers and students froze the smiling faces that crossed national boundaries. The stories of young people from around the world chasing their dreams together and celebrating their shared beauty continue to bloom, ever vibrant.

Journalist: Liu Yimei

Editor: Fang Jingyi

Senior editor: Zhou Ji, Li Zheng

Source: Hangzhoufeel