15th Soong Ching Ling International Summer Camp opens in Beijing

Viktoria Bocheva from Bulgaria, speaks on behalf of the international youth at the opening ceremony of the 15th Soong Ching Ling International Summer Camp on July 20 in Beijing. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation]

The 15th Soong Ching Ling International Summer Camp opened on July 20 in Beijing under the theme "In China, be friends." The event brought together youth art troupes from various countries, including Bulgaria, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkmenistan.

Organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People and hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), the summer camp kicked off with a retrospective video showcasing memorable moments from past editions.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Zhang Jiming, vice chairman of the CSCLF, noted that since its inception in 2010, the camp has successfully hosted 14 editions and drawn nearly 10,000 young participants from around the globe. He highlighted that the project, included in the List of Action Plan of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, has become a vital platform for international youth cultural exchanges.

Zhang expressed his hope that young people would appreciate the beauty of different civilizations through artistic exchanges, deepen mutual understanding through cultural experiences, and act as ambassadors of friendship to implement the Global Civilization Initiative.

Viktoria Bocheva, representing the "Rhythm" Dance Troupe from Bulgaria, spoke on behalf of the international youth. She expressed her gratitude to the organizers and said visiting China offers not only an unforgettable journey, but also a precious opportunity to learn about fine traditional Chinese culture and make lifelong friends. She called on all participants to embrace the opportunity with open minds and mutual learning.

The opening concert featured vibrant performances by young people from different countries. In a captivating climax, youth ensembles from Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkmenistan jointly performed the iconic Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower alongside the classic Radetzky March, blending distinct cultural melodies on a single stage.

Following the opening ceremony, youth participants engaged in spontaneous singing and dancing, setting a joyful tone for the upcoming activities. Before the participants depart on July 24, they will take part in artistic exchanges, cultural immersions, and visits to landmark sites, including the Palace Museum, Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall, and the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, deepening mutual understanding and friendship through interactive experiences.