2026 Suzhou International Sports and Culture Festival opens today

The 2026 Suzhou International Sports and Culture Festival kicked off at the Suzhou Sports Center today . As a flagship event of this year ' s Suzhou International Day, the festival welcomed guests from many countries and regions , including Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Croatia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands , for this Sino-foreign cultural feast .

The opening ceremony featured a lineup of performances, including freestyle football, boxing, Tai Chi, and Latin dance. At the event , 16 themed booths , representing Singapore, Vietnam, Croatia, the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Suzhou, German football, Hong Kong equestrian sports, Suzhou intangible cultural heritage, and more, were arranged in sequence. They showcased various sports, sports equipment, cultural and creative products, and interactive experiences through images, videos, and physical displays.

Jannatul hailing from Bangladesh performed wushu (Chinese martial arts) at the opening ceremony . "It's a very enjoyable experience here in China, and performing here was definitely great. Since I'm practicing wushu here, I'm also getting to experience China's culture in Suzhou," she said excitedly.

Jannatul hailing from Bangladesh

In the interactive experience zone, activities such as robot Go, fun football, and AI-powered jump rope drew enthusiastic participation from local residents. These offerings allowed citizens to immerse themselves in the unique charm of global sports cultures right at their doorstep , broadening their international horizons through hands-on engagement.

"Today's festival is amazing. The sports infrastructure in Suzhou is fascinating. I think it's very important for the future of sports and for cultural exchange between Suzhou, China, and other countries. And I believe Suzhou's sports will be very strong in the future," said Goran Martinovic from Croatia.

Goran Martinovic from Croatia

The event is jointly organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Suzhou Municipal People ' s Government, the Information Office of the Suzhou Municipal People ' s Government, and the Suzhou Municipal Sports Bureau. Following the opening ceremony, the Foreign Affairs Office also arranged for international guests to tour cultural landmarks such as the Suzhou Silk Museum and the Suzhou Museum West , offering them deeper insights into the city ' s profound historical heritage and vibrant modern dynamism.

By iSuzhou reporter Gao Yuqing

Source：iSuzhou