The annual International Culture Festival and the Global Youth Innovation Festival have marked their grand commencement in front of the Centennial Hall at Peking University on October 25, 2015. As this is the twelfth year of hosting the festival at the university, this year’s theme is “I Act”, which elaborated into “Love Arts”, “Love Innovation” and “Love Technology” as the slogan and the sub-themes of the year.

At the Opening Ceremony, guests from all over the world, including Suchart Thada Thamrongvech, former Minister of Education and Minister of Finance in Thailand, Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador in China, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education, the National Han Office, the Committee of International Exchange Education of China, Beijing Education Association, and Country China Scholarship Council, have come to attend the ceremony. In addition, diplomats from various countries as well as numerous international student representatives were introduced by the hosts respectively. The President of Peking University, Lin Jianhua and the Executive Vice-President  Li Yansong, were also present at the opening ceremony.

In President Lin’s speech, he stated that “youth is the age period of greatest innovations. With our diverse student groups on campus, we hope that Peking University will be the building ground for greater creativity and innovation every year.” He also expressed his gratitude to the organizations and individuals who have supported the festival in all aspects.

Minister Thamrongvech, who was also an international alumnus of PKU, gave a speech about his interpretation of the festival theme and expressed wishful words for the festival and the youth group in general. Furthermore, he spoke about his appreciation of the university, stating that “Since 1898, Peking University has strived to be the top in the fields of Science, Humanty and Social Science.” “It is an university that worked towards humanity issues with sustainability.”

Followed by Minister Thamrongvech’s speech, Hua Zilong, who was an international student representative graduated from Cambridge University and is currently studying at the Yenching Academy, also spoke about his experiences as an international student at PKU. He emphasized on his passion and interest in Chinese culture, and that it was his love for Chinese culture that has brought him to China and to study at Peking University upon graduation from Cambridge. Chinese student Zhang Feiwen was the other student representative who is currently studying at the Yuanpei college of PKU. This is her third year participating in the ICF. She spoke sentimentally of the progressive development of the festival that she has witnessed along with her personal development over the three years.

Towards the end of the Opening Ceremony, President Lin returned to the stage. With iconic flags of the festival swinging behind, he formally announced the commencement of the twelfth International Culture Festival.

Written by Zhao Zhujun (Serena)