From June 22 till 26, the 2025 Qingdao International Folk Arts Season, which consisted of “progressive art parades”, turned the city into an arena, and presented a mobile show featuring cultural integration and inter-civilizational dialogue.

Overseas performance groups from Russia, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Thailand gathered together with their outstanding Chinese peers. Leaping, spinning Russian dancers, passionate Sri Lankan dancers with smooth body movements, delicate-looking South Korean dancers, and lithe and graceful Thai dancers joined hands to paint a gorgeous picture of cultural and civilizational diversity. Splendid performances by Chinese groups, no matter distinctive dances of ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province or national-level intangible cultural heritage in Qingdao, made spectators marvel at the richness of Chinese culture time and time again.

The art season unfolded against the backdrop of mountain and sea views. Folk artists from home and abroad took turns to perform in the Zhanqiao Pier, Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, SCO Pearl International Expo Center, Zhongshan Park and Golden Lion Square. Spectators couldn’t help getting immersed into the performances with both regional features and cultural charm to the rhythms.

Qingdao has painstakingly prepared programs for cultural experience. In the marketplace of intangible cultural heritage, many foreign friends were attracted to stop to taste or admire Chinese tea, traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, seashell handicrafts and Chinese rope art. In the cultural hall, dance teachers instructed foreign performers to wear Peking Opera make-ups, get dressed properly, and learn about “cloud hands” and “gaits”. Foreign students in the calligraphy class were copying Chinese characters, and said with excitement: “Chinese calligraphy resembles dancing. Every stroke seems to have rhythm.” “Qingdao is a very hospitable city. I will tour with family next time.” At the time of parting, foreign performers bared their affection for Qingdao.  (Ma Xiaoting)