The 20th International Cultural Festival of East China Normal University was held on the campus on Saturday, gathering students from across the world to showcase diverse cultures and promote mutual understanding.
Student representatives from 81 nations across five continents joined the festival's Mini Expo, showing a wide variety of their local specialties, craftsmanship and folklore. Breaking down cultural and geographic boundaries, the festival even attracted large crowds of nearby residents to join the cultural celebration.
On the stage of the cultural gala, the student performers dressed in colorful costumes treated the audience with melodious traditional instrumental music shows, as well as dynamic songs and dances featuring distinct vibes from around the world. The performances transcended language barriers, creating a lively and electrifying atmosphere among the audience.
"This is the sixth time that I have joined the international cultural festival at the university. Participants showcase their countries in various ways, allowing us to experience a rich tapestry of cultures. We showcase our own cultures while respecting those of others; we don't need to be the same, but we can understand each other and become friends," Haitam Omar, a student from Morocco, said.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the university in Shanghai. Its international education program welcomed its first group of international students in 1965. Last academic year, over 6,000 international students from over 130 countries studied at the university.
Looking ahead, the university remains committed to continuously building such cultural exchange platforms and promoting mutual understanding among the youth.
