My 2nd International Culture Festival in ZJU

On April 11, 2025, the 35th International Culture Festival of Zhejiang University was held at the Cultural Square of Zijingang Campus. The event was hosted by the School of International Studies and the International College of Zhejiang University, and organized by the Student Union of the School of International Studies and the International Students Union (ISU).

On the day of the festival, I strolled around the various booths with my friends. Since I hadn’t had enough time to prepare this year, I didn’t wear traditional clothing. However, all my friends were dressed in traditional attire, which inspired me to make sure I don't miss the opportunity to showcase my own ethnic clothing next year.

The booths were organized by continent, with students from Asia, the Americas, Europe, and other regions sharing the distinct cultures of their countries. Among them, the Persian calligraphy from Iran left a deep impression on me. While it shares some similarities with Chinese calligraphy, its unique style and elegance fascinated me.

The Thai booth stood out for its warmth and excitement. As April coincides with Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, the Thai students provided water guns and invited everyone to join in the festivities. It created a joyful and playful atmosphere. They also built a human slot machine game, where participants matched random patterns to pass a level—it was especially creative and fun.

I also enjoyed the tug-of-war game from Tajikistan, got body painting at the Ukrainian booth, and learned how to write my name in Korean. Each booth offered a new cultural experience that made the day truly enriching.

At our Malaysian booth, we introduced the traditional bamboo dance called Magunatip. Watching students from other countries try it and enjoy themselves was deeply gratifying. It felt meaningful to be able to share and spread our culture with friends from around the world.

In addition to the booth activities, there were also live stage performances where students from various countries showcased the music and dances of their cultures, creating a diverse and captivating audio-visual experience. Although the festival was short-lived, it left a lasting impression on me. I hope next year's International Culture Festival will be even more vibrant and unforgettable.