The Peking University International Culture Festival is held in Beijing on November 6 with a total of 48 stalls from 37 countries and regions across five continents displaying their cultures. Photo: Courtesy of Peking University

An international culture festival has attracted the public's eyes with its colorful and abundant stalls presenting goods and food from all over the world on a sunny autumn Sunday inside Peking University (PKU).

Held by PKU and attended by institutes including the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), General Administration of Sports of China and China Renmin University,  the Peking University International Culture Festival 2022 saw students from dozens of countries share their culture and traditions with one another.

"Our university is committed to building an international, diverse and integrated campus, and that is the reason why we held this festival today," noted PKU Vice President Wang Bo at the opening ceremony. 

"The Peking University International Culture Festival has been around for 19 years and has become a cultural event with wide social influence that is deeply loved by teachers and students," he said, adding that the theme of this edition is "Shared World, Shared Dreams, Shared Future." 

After a short ceremony, a theme party was launched with a total of 48 stalls from 37 countries and regions across five continents displaying various national costumes, traditional musical instruments, handicrafts and special delicacies from around the world.  

Students from various countries perform wushu on the stage at the opening ceremony of the Peking University International Culture Festival in Beijing on November 6. Photo: Courtesy of Peking University

Among the dazzling booths, international students from all over the globe shared stories of their hometownsas well as their experiences and knowledge. 

"Over the past 19 years, the festival has always been open-minded and inclusive about promoting exchanges and the mutual integration of different civilizations," said CLEC Director Ma Jianfei said during the festival. 

"It acts as an important link to promote mutual understanding and affection between people and especially young people from various countries. I hope that young people at home and abroad show their demeanor to the fullest to enhance exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries and at the same time contribute to the building of a human community with a shared future," added Ma.

"After so many years of studying at PKU here in China, I feel the breadth and the depth of the traditional Chinese culture and learned more that the civilizations created by human beings should be diverse," said Amangeldiyev Sapargeldi, a student from Turkmenistan.

In addition to the cultural festival, a series of cultural events will be held throughout November, including a singing competition, food festival and film screenings to promote diversified exchanges of international cultures through music, food and art.

As an annual event at PKU, the international cultural festival has showcased the rich cultures and international views of students. Since its establishment in 2004, the festival has adhered to the tradition of inclusiveness, and freedom of thought.

"As an athlete, I have traveled many parts of the world to participate in competitions, yet regret  that I have never had a deep understanding of the customs and cultures of the countries I have traveled. This [festival] is a kaleidoscope, and the splendor of the world is here, making it an exciting cultural feast," retired Chinese table tennis world champion Ding Ning said at the festival.

Global Times