Opening Ceremony Performance
National Culture Exhibition, Henan Intangible Heritage Cultural Bazaar, and Culinary Feast Booths
Cultural Gala and Award Ceremony
Group Photo
The Second Henan International Cultural Festival for Chinese and Foreign Teachers and Students, "Along with Henan, Blossoms and Songs All the Way," was held at NCWU's Longzihu Campus on October 18. The event was hosted by the Education Department of Henan Province and co-organized by NCWU and Zhengzhou Sias University. It aimed to thoroughly implement the spirit of the National Education Conference and the Outline of Plan for Building China into a Leading Country in Education (2024-2035), promoting high-level education opening-up in Henan in the new era. Nearly 2,100 teachers and student representatives from 73 universities across the province, including over 600 foreign teachers and students from nearly 40 countries, participated in this year's festival.
At the opening ceremony, Vice President Li Yanbin introduced NCWU's innovative practices in international talent cultivation and cultural exchange. He emphasized that, as a higher education institution with a focus on water resources, NCWU has always been committed to its mission of "hydraulic characteristics, friendship with China, and global competence." It has built the "Study in NCWU" brand through the "four-wheel drive" approach of "strategy as the framework, culture as the soul, quality as the foundation, and discipline as the basis." He called on faculty and students from both China and abroad to actively engage in civilization dissemination, friendship building, and future creation, writing a splendid chapter in cultural communication and mutual learning among civilizations.
Wang Huaxing, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at the Education Department of Henan Province, stated in her speech that Henan has always regarded education opening-up as a crucial engine for high-quality development, committed to building a strong magnetic field for "bringing in" education and broadening new channels for "going global." She pointed out that this Cultural Festival represents a profound dialogue between the Yellow River civilization and world civilizations. She expressed her hope that teachers and students from both China and abroad would serve as "navigators" of civilization, "sowers" of friendship, and "ambassadors" of culture, working together to write a magnificent chapter of the times where "each beauty flourishes, and all beauties coexist harmoniously."
The foreign expert representative shared their understanding and love for Chinese culture, expressing a desire to deepen international cooperation. The Chinese teacher representative, in turn, encouraged young students to broaden their horizons and grow together through mutual learning and exchange.
The subsequent cultural performance was a dazzling showcase, where traditional charm intertwined with modern vibes. NCWU's "Mask-Changing Dance: Passing on the Flame of Heritage" ingeniously blended Sichuan opera face-changing with contemporary dance, offering a refreshing and captivating experience.
Following the opening ceremony, the Cultural Festival's series of events kicked off in full swing. A global cultural exhibition featuring 17 countries' traditions, an interactive bazaar showcasing 13 intangible cultural heritage items, and a "Gourmet Journey" displaying delicacies from 34 countries together created an immersive cross-cultural experience for both Chinese and international faculty and students.
During the Cultural Festival, a grand cultural performance & awards ceremony was also held. The event was divided into three parts: "Dance in Traditional Attire," "Melodies from Five Continents," and "Elegance of Cultural Exchange," showcasing the harmonious blending of Chinese and international art forms. The ceremony presented awards to outstanding units for their remarkable contributions in the "Global Cultural Bazaar," "Gourmet Journey Bazaar," the "Cultural Performance," and organizational efforts.
The successful organization of this Cultural Festival has not only provided a broad platform for young people from various countries to showcase and exchange ideas, but has also composed a moving chapter in deepening the "Study in Henan" and "Study in NCWU" brands, and in steadily advancing the Belt and Road Education Initiative. It has vividly demonstrated the profound truth that civilizations become more colorful and enriched through exchanges and mutual learning.