Shanghai University of Finance and Economics hosts intl cultural festival

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics celebrated its 22nd international cultural festival on Tuesday with a food carnival blending traditional cultural exchanges with innovative digital elements.

In her opening address, Vice President Yao Lingzhen encouraged students to embrace digital technology while honoring their cultural roots. She urged both Chinese and international students to become promoters of Chinese stories and guides for cultural exchanges in the shared pursuit of building a global community with a common future.

The festival's highlight — the international food carnival — featured nearly 40 booths showcasing culinary traditions from around the world. Visitors enjoyed international specialties, including Malaysian coconut rice, Bulgarian cheese bread, Brazilian barbecue, and Russian crepes.

"We prepared three traditional Iraqi dishes," Aya Mohammed, an international student from Iraq, said. "I worked through the night, starting to chop vegetables at 6pm yesterday. Food represents culture, and with everyone sharing their specialties, this event holds tremendous significance."

"We brought our traditional pilaf with carrots and lamb, along with desserts from our homeland and traditional Uzbek tea," Uzbekistani student Tajibaev Amir said. "This carnival allows us to experience global cultures while forming meaningful connections."

The carnival also featured cultural performances, including a robot show performing Chinese dances. International students from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, Laos, and Turkmenistan presented performances showcasing their cultural heritage.

The festival coincided with international Chinese language day, featuring a dedicated Chinese culture area offering calligraphy experiences and oracle bone script readings. Simultaneously, the Tallinn Day activities introduced students to Estonian culture through interactive quizzes.

"This international food festival has allowed me to experience the beauty of cultural integration," Fijian student Manasa Rakuita Vakalalabur said. "I hope to help more friends remember Fijian culture and pass on these wonderful experiences."