Multi-nation students gather at Hangzhou campus to present a youthful feast

Recently, Zhejiang International Studies University held the opening ceremony of the 8th International Culture Festival and the 2026 BRICS Country Theme Year (Brazil). With the theme "Language Meets the World, Harmony and Coexistence," this year's festival coincides with the China-Brazil Cultural Exchange Year and establishes the "BRICS Country Theme Year" for the first time, with Brazil as the guest country of honor. The festival aims to enhance communication between Chinese and international teachers and students, and promote multicultural exchange and mutual learning through a variety of cultural activities. Student representatives from China, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Poland, Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Colombia and other countries gathered together to present a youthful feast of multicultural integration.

This year's International Culture Festival is organized around four major sections — Knowledge Sharing, Youth Dialogue, Communication Resonance, and Cultural Integration — featuring a series of lectures, creative competitions, traditional brand events, and BRICS-themed special activities.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese and international students sang and danced together. There were melodious classic folk songs, passionate dance medleys, spirited instrumental performances, and cross-cultural song renditions... On stage, performances flowed gracefully; off stage, applause surged like tides — the melodies of different civilizations resonated and blended in harmony. The China-Brazil song medley presented by the Brazilian Chinese Bridge delegation fully displayed the warm vitality of samba, bringing the atmosphere to a climax with their brilliant performance.

The "Language Meets the World, Harmony and Coexistence Youth Action Initiative" was also released at the ceremony. The initiative calls on all Chinese and international youth to "be practitioners of language communication, explorers of cultural coexistence, promoters of youth diplomacy, and bearers of global competence," illuminating the path of civilization with the light of language and uniting the power of peace through the strength of exchange.

After the opening ceremony, the Country Garden Fair kicked off. Twenty-six themed booths gathered flavors from all five continents, with Chinese and international teachers and students wandering among them, experiencing the warmth of culture through immersive interactions. As a highlight of this year's festival, the Brazil booth featured the dual themes "Fifty-plus Years of Walking Together" and "Amazon Narrative," with the trade zone offering interactive activities such as trade pairing mystery boxes and bilingual riddles, while the cultural zone presented South American vibes through mini-soccer, memory flip games, and other experiences.

At the Song Dynasty tea whisking experience area, Mexican international student Paulina exclaimed: "So as early as several hundred years ago, the Chinese had already turned tea drinking into a kind of 'kung fu'." Zhang Xuyan from Class 6, English Major 2024, lingered at the "Hi! Seoul 안녕하세요! 서울" Korea booth, unable to hide her delight: "This immersive experience exceeded my expectations — it felt like stepping into a Korean drama scene. It's such a special experience." Thai international student Jiang Xinyan said with emotion: "I am especially grateful to the school for providing such a platform and opportunity, allowing us to happily introduce the distinctive cultures of our own countries. I feel that our hearts are closer than ever."

Source：www.hzxcw.gov.cn