On the afternoon of May 8th, the opening ceremony of the 19th International Cultural Festival&International Food Carnival of SUFE was held at the Green Leaf Pedestrian Street in the Guoding Road campus. This year's cultural festival is based on the concept of “integrating diverse cultures of various countries and building a harmonious international campus” with the theme of Together at SUFE, together as One. We strive to present the excellent cultures of countries around the world and showcase the talents of students from both China and abroad at SUFE through a rich and colorful series of activities.
SUFE leaders Xu Tao, Liu Yuanchun, Fang Hua, Yao Lingzhen, Zhu Mingxiong, He Pengcheng, Li Zengquan, Liu Liya, Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Finance, Liu Qingsheng, Assistant to the President, the standing committee member of the school's party committee and the head of the Organization Department, Zhou Jiepu, the standing committee member of the school's party committee and the head of the United Front Work Department, leaders of SUFE Affiliated Primary School, Middle School, relevant functional departments, and colleges (departments, institutes), as well as teachers and students, attended the event.
At the opening ceremony, Xie Jingmin (China), Executive Chairman of the Student Union of the School of Finance, and JEUNG ZHI (Indonesia), Chairman of the International Student Society, delivered speeches as representatives of Chinese and foreign students, introducing the overall situation of the International Cultural Festival. Four international students brought their original song The Flowers on the Other Side, expressing their expectations for a better future through their singing.
Vice President Yao Lingzhen delivered a speech and announced the opening of the International Cultural Festival. In her speech, Vice President Yao Lingzhen combined the theme of this International Cultural Festival and sent a message to the Chinese and foreign students of SUFE to enhance communication and contribute to the construction of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.
At the subsequent food carnival, South Africa's Rooibos Tea, Argentina's barbecue, Laos' glutinous rice, Mongolia's beef patties, Malaysia's Nyonya food... cuisines from different countries formed a world on the tongue in the late spring, and early summer of SUFE campus. As a part of the school labor education, this year's Chinese exhibition booth was independently produced by Chinese students for the first time. They brought food such as pastry balls, wine-brewed buns, brown sugar glutinous rice cakes, pot-stuffed pork, dumplings, etc.
“Brazilian students are very excited about participating in the food carnival. This year, we prepared the Brazilian specialty, a Guarana drink paired with small cheese bread, and also prepared a Portuguese language game for everyone. We hope to present Brazil's cuisine and culture to everyone." said a Brazilian student Douglas.
"We have been preparing for the food carnival for a month, and although we are tired, we are very happy. We hope to showcase Azerbaijan's culture to countries around the world."said Azerbaijani student Asgarova Khadija.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. With the deepening of the initiative, the proportion of foreign students from countries along the Belt and Road is increasing. Among the 21 booths in this food carnival, 17 booths are from countries along the Belt and Road. Shuhrat Nurzoda from Tajikistan said, "This year, Sambusa was prepared at the food booth of Tajikistan. Sambusa is a traditional food of our country, which is both beautiful and delicious. Since the 10th anniversary of the 'the Belt and Road' initiative, I can feel the closer relationship between China and Tajikistan."
Baba Nyonya is a descendant of ancient Chinese immigrants and Malaysian indigenous people, gradually forming a unique cultural fusion between the two ethnic groups."Today, we bring the pastries that baba nyonya loved to eat back then", said Yen Yen Hau from Malaysia," From ancient times to the present, Malaysia and China have made good relations, which have a deep foundation. The Maritime Silk Road made us closer, allowing the two countries to achieve more economic and trade cooperation. As a Malaysian Chinese, I am very proud."
This year is also the 10th anniversary of the concept of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. To better promote the integration of Chinese and foreign students, the International Cultural Festival is jointly organized by the International Student Society and some school student unions for the first time, vividly interpreting the concept of a harmonious international campus. Yang Zihan, an undergraduate student at the 2021 Business School, is one of the leaders of China (Southern) booth, “We are honored to prepare the China (South) booth with friends from law school at the long-awaited international food carnival. From the procurement of ingredients preparation to the on-site work, every staff member has devoted themselves wholeheartedly and done their best to help everyone gain a better sense of participation and experience in the event. We also have invited students from the Hanfu Society to showcase traditional Chinese clothing for everyone. We hope that everyone can fully experience the richness and infinite charm of world culture during the event.”
In the process of preparation, the students from different student organizations also held a group-building activity. "The preparation process was tiring, but the activity was happy. We met many Chinese friends, and the activity left us with many beautiful memories."said Lingkaikyle Chan, a student from the UK.
It is worth mentioning that this International Cultural Festival also welcomed for the first time teachers and students from SUFE Affiliated Primary School, and Middle School, who experienced cultures from around the world on-site and interacted with International students.“On the occasion of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, middle and primary school students interact with international students on site, holding hands and experiencing the charm of different cultures, playing an important role in cultivating their cross-cultural communication awareness” said Qiu Shanshan, a teacher from SUFE affiliated middle school.
This International Cultural Festival is hosted by the International Cultural Exchange School and the Youth League Committee and jointly organized by the International Student Society, College of Business Student Union, School of Finance Student Union, Law School Student Union, and School of Foreign Language Student Union. In the coming week, a more diverse series of activities will be held both on and off campus, including the Running towards the Future Chinese and foreign student competition, the Jointly Describing the Future in the Heart international student volunteers entering SUFE Affiliated Primary School, and the closing ceremony music festival.
(From the International Cultural Exchange School)
