Despite a drizzle and chilly weather, the Third International Culture Festival at Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) kicked off on March 30, bringing together a vibrant community of students, faculty, and visitors to celebrate cultural diversity. More than 800 participants from over 20 countries and regions, including representatives from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), and Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, gathered at PHBS to embark on a journey of global exploration.

Vibrant scene of the cultural festival

A Global Village on Campus

The PHBS International Culture Festival transformed the plaza into a bustling global village, featuring over 30 booths with authentic cuisines, traditional attire, folk customs, and hands-on cultural experiences. From the elegance of European heritage to the dynamic energy of Latin America and from the deep traditions of Asia to the rich artistic expressions of Africa, the festival offered a unique opportunity for cross-cultural interaction.

The event was officially opened by PHBS Dean Wang Pengfei, who was joined by Professor Hai Wen, founding dean of PHBS and former vice president of Peking University, PHBS Vice Dean Zhang Fanshan, Young Joon Park, and International Office Director Mao Na for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

From the second left to right: Zhang Fanshan, Young Joon Park, Hai Wen, Wang Pengfei, Mao Na

A Feast for the Senses

Visitors were treated to an array of global flavors, with Italian pasta, French tartine, Russian blini, Swedish meatballs, German beer, Korean tteokbokki, Malaysian nyonya kuih, and traditional Chinese sugar painting among the delicacies on display. The diverse culinary experiences fostered a deeper appreciation and understanding of different cultures through taste and aroma.

Irresistible delicacies

Francesca Di Credico, an Italian exchange student at PHBS, shared with Shenzhen Daily that her team had spent weeks preparing, focusing on authentic food and handmade decorations. “The hardest part is food because you really don’t want to bring something cliché,” Di Credico explained. “Also, we made the decorations ourselves, so it took longer.” Partnering with an Italian restaurant in University Town, their booth offered delicacies such as pasta, mortadella focaccia, and tiramisu.

Students from different countries enjoyed Culture Day at their booths

Music, Dance, and Celebration

The festival was alive with performances that transcended borders. From the rhythmic energy of a Brazilian carnival dance to the traditional elegance of Uzbek performances and the melodic tunes of the Chinese guzheng, attendees were immersed in a vibrant world of artistic expression.

Performances that transcended borders

Héloïse, a French master’s student in management at PHBS, explained, “We display pictures showing different regions of France and ask visitors to guess their locations.” She noted, “Chinese people may know France because of Paris, but we wanted to show its diversity, so they might consider visiting other areas.”

Games, Traditions, and Cultural Immersion

Participants engaged in interactive cultural games, collecting passport stamps as they visited booths, sampled cuisines, and participated in challenges. Visitors explored Chinese tea ceremonies, intricate cloisonné enamel craftsmanship, live printing demonstrations, and even a French booth featuring the iconic Gallic rooster.

PHBS passport for a journey of discovery

Emma, a Moroccan student from the Southern University of Science and Technology, shared her thoughts on the event with Shenzhen Daily, saying that her favorite was the Myanmar booth. “I think the cultural event means a lot because we get to see people from different perspectives. We can learn about their culture. And if we learn about their culture, we learn about them,” she added.

Celebrating the Best Booths

The event concluded with an awards ceremony that recognized the most outstanding booths. The Shandong & Henan Pavilion was honored with the “Best Food Booth” award, the Brazil Pavilion was recognized as the “Most Popular Booth,” and the Uzbekistan Pavilion received the “Best Designed Booth” accolade.

Associate Dean Young Joon Park presents awards to students

With over 120 international students and faculty members from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Malaysia, and Brazil, PHBS continues to foster a vibrant multicultural environment. Since its launch in 2023, the International Culture Festival become a signature event that strengthens global ties, promotes mutual understanding, and reflects PHBS’s commitment to cultural exchange.

By Jiang An
Edited by Donya Mehrabi