On June 1, the "Childlike Joy, Shared Beauty" event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), was held at the China Soong Ching Ling Youth Science and Culture Exchange Center to celebrate the 2024 International Children's Day. The event brought together around 400 embassy staff and their children from Argentina, Switzerland, Armenia, Maldives, and nearly 500 Chinese young children and parents to enjoy the festival.
Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of the Foundation, Hong Lei, Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and other leaders attended the event and joined the children from China and abroad in the festivities.
The event provided a colorful stage for young children to showcase their talents. The symphony "Youth" in the Future Theater opened the cultural performance, featuring dances like "Painting a Shared Circle," a pipa performance of "Give Me a Rose," and a thrilling acrobatic act of "Bowl Balancing." The ensemble "Golden Snake Dance" ignited the joyful atmosphere, while percussion performance "Spirit of the Dragon Horse," martial arts display "Martial Spirit," and Peking Opera singing "Childhood Melody" highlighted the diversity and richness of Chinese traditional culture in various forms. The Soong Ching Ling Peace Angel Art Troupe sang the original song "Creating the Future," embodying Soong Ching Ling's earnest hope for the healthy growth of young saplings and showcasing the positive image of today's young children. The spectacular performances received enthusiastic applause from both local and international families in attendance.
A teenager from Slovakia expressed how wonderful the performance made her feel. She and her mother are very interested in Chinese culture and hope to have the opportunity to learn Chinese opera in the future and engage in cultural exchanges with Chinese young children to deepen friendships.
During the event, young children from China and abroad also participated in a variety of technological and cultural experiences. The "Follow the Master to Learn Painting" exhibition showcased the "Asian Games Flower" series of works donated by Chinese artist Mr. He Shuifa. Over a hundred young children from China and abroad experienced the charm of traditional Chinese painting, collaboratively creating a painting of various flowers on grid paper, using flowers as a medium for cultural exchange.
Staff introduced traditional Chinese cultural elements such as Chinese opera, bamboo-woven mosquito repellent pouches, and plant-dyed silk scarves to diplomats and their spouses from various countries, showcasing the charm of Chinese opera, the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, and the cultural heritage of traditional handicrafts. During the "Tea, Music, Poetry, and Dance Overlooking the Lake Tea Party" event, the Chinese young children performed as "Little Tea People," gracefully entering the venue with a tea dance titled "Waves Welcoming Guests," serving tea to guests, presenting intangible cultural heritage hairpins, and engaging in exchanges with diplomats' spouses and children from various countries.
In the outdoor Children's Science Park, there was a lively atmosphere everywhere. Dr. Blue presented a joyful science experiment show called "Colorful Childhood Dreams," featuring a variety of experiments like transforming bubbles and liquid nitrogen bombs, providing endless surprises and interactive activities. Children engaged in fun activities like building structures, exploring nature, wearing traditional Hanfu attire, learning traditional etiquette, experiencing the elegance of the game of pitching arrows, making lacquer fans, kites, candy figures, and other traditional crafts, immersing themselves in traditional games.
Young children from Cameroon and Vietnam expressed their special love for Chinese culture, especially dragon and lion dances. Coming together with children from various countries allowed them to deeply experience Chinese traditional culture, leaving a lasting impression.
A child from Beijing proudly displayed a handmade craft, saying excitedly, "Look, this is what I created today. I'm very happy about International Children's Day." Parents mentioned that their children broadened their horizons and had a different and joyful International Children's Day celebration.
Ambassador Marcelo Suarez Salvia from Argentina expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foundation for organizing the event. He was delighted to see young Chinese children inheriting traditional Chinese culture and sincerely wished the children a happy holiday.
Background:
Since 2019, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation has been hosting the "Perceiving China, Shared Beauty" series of activities, using culture as a medium to help children from more countries perceive the beauty of China, share a better life, promote spiritual communication between Chinese and foreign young children, and look forward to the future together. This year, on International Children's Day, through the "Childlike Joy, Shared Beauty" event where children from China and abroad celebrated hand in hand, friendships and interactions between Chinese and foreign young children were enhanced, promoting mutual exchange and learning between different cultures and civilizations.
