Where youth never fades: An autumn evening at the tide music festival

In November, the Zhijiang Lawn welcomed the annual Tide Music Festival. On an autumn evening, dusk settled softly over the campus as a gentle breeze swept across the grass, carrying with it a sense of quiet comfort. The usually tranquil Yuelun Hill came alive with energy and excitement. On stage, a cascade of vibrant lights blinked to life one by one, painting the night in brilliant, tender hues; from the speakers, the deep throb of a bass line surged forth first, resonating through the chests of everyone present. Performers took their places, stage crew took their places, lighting technicians took their places, and the audience took their places — the lawn was filled with a sea of people, laughter and chatter intertwined with anticipation, every pair of eyes shimmering with light. As the very first note rang out, the entire lawn seemed to sway in unison, and in that moment, ZJU's autumn night found a rhythm entirely its own.

As a devoted resident of Yuelun Hill, there was simply no way I could miss this. I invited a friend to join me for the festival — he made his way up the hill on one of the shuttle buses arranged for the afternoon. Together, we wandered through the historic sites scattered across the Zhijiang Campus, before finally making our way to the lawn.

The festival kicked off right on schedule. Amidst the feast of sound and light, and the distinct rush of adrenaline that filled the air, the act that left the deepest impression on me was a band formed jointly by staff from the university's Security Department and students. There are moments when I assume a certain distance exists between us and our staff — after all, we come from different generations and carry different states of mind. Yet this band shattered that assumption entirely. Youth and vitality, it turns out, are not privileges that fade with age — they are a way of life, a state of spirit, a choice that has nothing to do with the number of years one has lived. On the message board, I wrote: Keep creating. And I hope, for myself, that I may always hold on to that same passion and energy.

As the night grew late, the November air carried the crisp, dry bite of a northern wind. Students from across the campuses gradually dispersed, and on the grounds, the devoted figures of volunteers and staff could be seen diligently tidying up. I was moved. It is precisely these teachers and student volunteers who, with their warmth and boundless energy, help shape the vibrant spirit of our campus community, and leave the most beautiful mark on the canvas of our youth.

To each and every one of them, I would like to say from the bottom of my heart — thank you.