We and Our Country: the 11th International Cultural Gala

North Campus, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, November 1^st 2019: As night fell on campus, students and teachers from all faculties gathered in the grand Yunshan Hall. With the theme of “From China to the World”, the Institute of International Education presented us a visionary feast with well-prepared dancing and singing programmes.

Our Phoenix Rise presented by girls from 9 different countries

China and the World

A dance of Our Phoenix Rise amazed the audience at the very beginning. Girls from 9 countries danced to the ancient Chinese music, which attracted everyone’s applause. It was followed by the annual Fashion Show, during which students from all over the world presented their traditional costumes, ending with Chinese models wearing cheongsam and Tang costumes. It was clear that everyone was presenting their best on the stage, allowing the audience to have a glimpse of foreign cultures. In the warm welcome speech by Dean of the Institute of International Education, the gala began.

The Fashion Show

Diverse Languages, the Same Cheer

When dancers for Love and Peace ascended the stage, an outburst of applause and whistles lingered around the hall. With upbeat music stoking up the atmosphere, dancers from different countries offered a joyous performance, cheering for love and peace in the world. After the loud and clear song of Ukraine is My Motherland wowed the audience, a passionate dance called Rhythm, Color and Taste performed by students from Peru won sonorous yells with their powerful and charming maneuvers. As the lights toned down, a Japanese piano player showed up which brought back the sparks. With the flowing sound of SHINJI’s Piano Regime echoing in the hall, the audience wandered in the anime dreamland.

   Dance Love and Peace was the mix of power and beauty; all of the dancers enjoyed the music and performance.

What made cheers roll across the hall again was The Nomad Danceof Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which was certainly captivating and impressive. Stunningly, a dance called Siam Fighter was put on stage along to the dynamic music by Thai students.

The stage flooded with gentle lights, graceful and slow music. A group read two famous poems, Face the sea with Spring Flowers Blossoming and You are the Heaven of the World in April, which not only touched the souls of the audiences with affection, like a fresh spring washing away the dust, but also embodied the readers’ understanding and love of Chinese poetry. And when the performance of Chinese KungFu: Choileefa atrushed into the audiences’ sight, the air of excitement was reignited, revealing the charm of martial arts and another dazzling image of China.

           Soulful Reading of Chinese Poems. Foreign students were reciting with Chinese, expressing their respect for China and Chinese culture.

Along with the vigorous beats, dancers from Africa appeared dressed in exotic clothes, which vividly show their overflowing enthusiasm. The Yoga Show, however, created a quiet atmosphere, as if letting the audience take a short breath from the hustle and bustle. A Russian dance performed by a number of beautiful girls who dressed in national costumes, attracted the audience. A roar of cheering broke out when girls from the South Korea appeared, and with fast beat and sexy dance, they ruled the whole stage and bubbled up the audiences’ blood to the brim. The teachers of the Institute for International Education performed a chorus of My country and Me to express their wishes and love to the motherland, with a small national flag waving in their hands.

Anticipation for the Next Gathering

With the last round of applause followed by the last program, the Evening Gala drew to a successful conclusion when all the audience stood up and joined the chorus of the anthem of GDUFS.

Even though the stage lights dim out tonight, the light of friendship across diverse cultures will last forever. In laughter, amidst thunderous applause and cheers, the satisfaction could be seen on the audience’s faces. Next year, fortunately, we’ll be able to look forward to another audio-visual feast, in which multiple cultures all have something new and interesting to offer.

Group Photo