The long–awaited Peking University International Cultural Festival (ICF) 2014 was held at the Northern Square of Peking University (PKU)’s Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium on October 25th, 2014. Under this year’s theme “New Initiative, New Dream, New World”, students made full use of their innovation and passion in making the event a resounding success.
PKU President Wang Enge and other distinguished guests such as Minister of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, MOE, Zhao Lin Shan, and Vice Secretary-General of the CSC Secretariat, Wang Shen Gang, were present at the opening ceremony. After the speeches made by student representatives Guan Hongyu and Yu Yanping，President Wang handed Shi Tianlong, an American student from the School of International Studies, the ICF flag and presided at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking an official start to this exciting day. This was followed by the singing of the theme song for this year’s ICF, “Creating the New World”.
The International Cultural Festival each year comprises of three parts: Exhibitions, Performances and Activities. This year, a total of 58 countries and regions took part with 66 exhibition booths. The international students strived to showcase their country’s unique characteristics through their booths. You could have your name translated to a Japanese one at the Japanese booth while eating Oishi (a brand of snack products) from the Philippines. You could also visit the North Korea booth and find out more about what life is like in the country. From 11:00AM to 14:00 PM, you could enjoy cuisines from different countries at the Ambrosia Street, including sushi from Japan, pizza from Italy, and curry from Malaysia.
The exhibitions, performances and activities have greatly facilitated cultural exchanges and mutual understanding at PKU. As the ending music began to be played, people bade farewell to the International Cultural Festival reluctantly. We look forward to a more exciting and vibrant ICF in 2015!
Written by: Zhang Zuyue
Edited by: Chia Wai Kian
