Intl youth, experts delve into Chinese heritage

The second installment of the 2024 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Foreign Talents Carnival took place on Aug 16, with nearly 40 young individuals and experts from around the world congregating at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing.

Participants from 17 countries, including Spain, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, the United States, Germany, and Belgium, attended the event. Jointly organized by Daozhonghua, a cultural publicity platform under the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, and the Beijing Overseas Talents Center, the gathering aims to deepen international talents' appreciation of Chinese cultural heritage and build a vital bridge for intercultural dialogue.

At the heart of the event was a conference featuring keynote addresses and panel discussions.

Si Pengbo, deputy director of the Beijing Overseas Talents Center, delivered a speech, emphasizing the indispensable role of intangible cultural heritage in preserving Chinese traditions, fostering global cultural interactions, and attracting talents from abroad. Yang Xinhua, editor-in-chief of the Nationality Pictorial, expressed gratitude to the international guests for their active participation and advocated for collaborative efforts to promote Chinese culture worldwide.

During the subsequent group dialogues, Ahmadi Zaman from Beijing University of Technology shared a heartfelt account of his personal connection to Chinese intangible heritage, such as martial arts, calligraphy, and acupuncture, underscoring his profound reverence for these cultural gems.

As the attendees delved deeper, they were treated to an exhibition showcasing cultural artifacts and ancient manuscripts. Reflecting on this immersive experience, Rakotoarivony Mamisoa from Beijing Foreign Studies University remarked, "This was a truly enriching journey, where ancient tomes, traditional attire, musical instruments, wedding rituals, and trinkets from varied ethnic backgrounds were displayed, offering us a glimpse into the opulence and inclusivity of Chinese civilization."