On the afternoon of July 20, 2026, the Cultural Festival of the 11th "Zhihong" Advanced Materials International Summer School was successfully held in Room 201 of the Material Innovation Building. With meticulous preparation by the volunteers and enthusiastic participation of both Chinese and international students, over 30 students from seven countries – Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Russia, and China – gathered once again. Using laughter as a bond and creativity as a bridge, they embarked on a cultural gala that blended fun, talent, and traditional arts, continuing the chapter of "harmony in diversity" in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
The event was hosted by Chinese student Zhang Xiyan and Thai student Paruj Buranakitvisoot. Zhao Feng, director of the International Office of the Graduate School, and Xue Xundan, faculty member of the office, attended the event. We sincerely appreciate the strong support and careful guidance provided by the Graduate School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the National Outstanding Engineer College for the Zhihong Summer School.
Figure 1: Opening by the hosts
At the very beginning, an ice‑breaking game of "Charades" quickly ignited the atmosphere. Each group took turns drawing word cards; two members acted out the words using only body language while the rest guessed. The rule of no speaking sparked rich expressiveness, and the exaggerated gestures and smooth teamwork drew continuous laughter. Each group successfully guessed three words to pass the round. This activity not only enlivened the venue but also helped students from different language backgrounds find a common way to communicate without words.
Figure 2: Charades game
After the warm‑up, each group took the stage to present their carefully prepared performances. The first group, with members from Russia, Thailand, and the Chinese cities of Wuhan, Hefei, Hunan, and Anhui, first introduced their hometowns in English, and then sang the Chinese‑style song *Blue and White Porcelain* together. The melodious tune and poetic lyrics captivated both Chinese and international audiences.
Figure 3: Group 1–hometown introduction and song performance
The second group featured Indian student Ayush Ghatage, who performed the popular English song *Perfect*. His soulful singing drew warm applause, and many students in the audience softly sang along, creating a touching and heartwarming atmosphere.
Figure 4: Group 2–song performance
The third group came up with an original act: four members cooperatively acted out a sentence using only body movements, while another member tried to guess the complete sentence. This "action‑to‑sentence" game tested team coordination and kept the audience fully engaged, with continuous laughter and suspense.
Figure 5: Group 3–acting and guessing game
The fourth group delivered a splendid show. Chinese students first performed an English version of *Ascending the Spring Mountain*, giving an Eastern poetic piece a new linguistic flavor. Then a Kazakh student recited a poem in their native language with deep emotion. Finally, all members joined hands and danced a lively traditional Serbian dance, whose spirited steps brought the atmosphere to a climax.
Figure 6: Group 4–song, poem recitation, and dance
The fifth group first performed a moving song, then two Russian students took the stage to present a traditional folk dance, whose elegant and vigorous movements earned rounds of applause. Afterwards, they organized an online quiz about Kazakhstan, in which the whole audience participated via mobile phones on a designated webpage, answering questions in real time. This not only deepened everyone's understanding of Kazakh culture but also added an interactive fun element.
Figure 7: Group 5–song, dance, and online quiz
The sixth group presented a diverse cultural showcase, introducing Kazakhstan's traditional customs, Beijing's historical landmarks, and Chengdu's food culture, and ended with a soothing meditative song, allowing everyone to experience the charm of cross‑cultural exchange in tranquility and reflection.
Figure 8: Group 6–cultural presentation
The third segment focused on traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting. Each group received brushes, ink, rice paper for writing, and square rice paper for painting. They then took turns drawing lots for their creative content – ranging from classic poems to auspicious phrases. After practicing on spare paper, they formally wrote their pieces and added ink‑wash decorative elements on the square paper. Once finished, each group presented their work on stage. Amid the scent of ink, students from diverse cultural backgrounds made friends through the brush, experiencing the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics.
Figure 9: Students practicing calligraphy and ink painting
Figure 10: Groups presenting their calligraphy and painting works
In a joyful and harmonious atmosphere, this year's Cultural Festival came to a successful close. All students took a group photo to capture this creative and warm moment.
Figure 11: Group photo of all participants
The Cultural Festival is a traditional highlight of the "Zhihong" International Summer School, and this year marks its 11th successful edition. Using this platform, Chinese and international students transcended linguistic and geographical barriers through games, performances, and artistic creation, deepened mutual understanding, and left behind unique and cherished memories of this summer.