On August 1, the 2025 inaugural “Voices of the World” Art Festival opened at the Qingdao SCO Pearl International Expo Center. Nearly 30 international students from our university, representing Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Morocco, and other countries, actively participated in the event.

In the morning, the students visited the Expo Center, touring exhibition halls of SCO member states including Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Egypt. Under the guidance of artists, they immersed themselves in traditional Chinese art experiences such as soft-brush calligraphy and Guzheng performances, gaining a close appreciation of China’s unique cultural charm. They also explored the SCO Pearl Hall A, which highlighted the fruitful outcomes of the SCO Demonstration Zone in trade, tourism, and cultural integration since its establishment.

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In the afternoon, the festival’s opening concert and award ceremony took place, with Fan Zhijian,the Deanof the Collegeof International Exchange,invited to attend as a distinguished guest. At the concert, themed around “Traditional Chinese Music,” “Western Music,” and “Vocal & Dance,” the international students experienced a high-level artistic feast of cultural fusion. Performances ranged from the grandeur ofImpressions of the Eastto the delicacy ofFlowing River, the lingering charm ofColorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, and the graceful danceSun and Moon, which expressed harmony between nature and life. The chorusFisherwomen by the Seashowcased strong regional characteristics, igniting the atmosphere once again.Our Indonesian student Wu Xianghua captivated the audience with soulful renditions of the local classicBandungand the Tibetan-inspired pieceHeavenly Road, earning warm applause. The concert concluded with Guzheng artists performingThe Beauty of Harmony, symbolizing the ideals of unity and mutual appreciation.

Through this event, our international students not only immersed themselves in diverse artistic forms, but also deepened cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and friendship, embodying the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.