Students from around the world gathered recently at Beijing Foreign Studies University for the International Cultural Festival. Wenny, a 20-year-old student from Indonesia, showcased her culture by introducing visitors to the angklung, a traditional bamboo instrument. Curious attendees, including children, eagerly tried it out, creating beautiful sounds.
This yearly event is a chance for international students to represent their countries. Wenny and her classmates spent two weeks preparing their booth, which featured colorful traditional batik fabrics and instruments, all made possible with help from the Indonesian Embassy in China. “It’s a great opportunity to share our culture,” she said.
Booths lined the campus, offering slices of diverse cultures. At the Korean booth, visitors donned hanbok, while others got intricate henna designs from Sri Lanka. The Madagascar booth buzzed with excitement, as players engaged in Fanorona, a traditional board game. Meanwhile, attendees enjoyed international dishes like Vietnamese spring rolls and Pakistani biryani.
Since its debut in 2018, the Cultural Festival has become a key event for students. “It’s all about connecting young people from different backgrounds,” explained Kai Lin, a teacher from the university’s Overseas Students Affairs Office. The university hosts nearly 100 nationalities and offers resources in over 100 languages, fostering strong global ties among its students.
The festival isn’t just an event; it reflects the growing importance of cultural exchange. According to a recent report by UNESCO, around 60% of young people value understanding other cultures, showing that events like these resonate widely. The spirit of shared experiences at the festival reflects a growing trend of inclusivity and celebration of diversity among youth worldwide.
While Wenny’s angklung may echo traditional Indonesian sounds, it also signals a harmonious blend of the past and present, as younger generations find new ways to bridge cultural gaps. In a world increasingly divided, festivals like this one remind us of the simple joy that comes from sharing and learning about each other’s heritage.
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