The annual Qingpu District Xujing Town International Cultural Exchange Festival and Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) International Day were celebrated with great enthusiasm on April 11.

The event featured spectacular performances from various countries, such as Chinese martial arts, Sichuan opera face-changing, handpan performances, Angklung bamboo harp shows, and Zumba dances.

Around 40 booths were set up around the WISS playground, featuring cuisines from different countries, handicrafts, creative DIY activities, children's games, and more.

"We dressed up in our national costumes for this annual cultural exchange event and introduced traditional Australian jams at the market. The event featured many outstanding performances that allowed children to explore the wonders of the world through sight, touch, and sound. We eagerly look forward to attending this event every year," shared WISS parent Tina Chen.

As lively music filled the air, the festivities commenced with a vibrant "flag parade" where teachers, students, and parents from various countries donned their most distinctive and colorful national attire and paraded around the field to the rhythm of the music. This helped set an enthusiastic tone for the event.

WISS International Day is not only a cherished cultural tradition of the 19-year-old WISS but also a hallmark of Xujing's international cultural exchange series. It aims to foster integration and interaction among global cultures, traditional Chinese culture, and the community's rich multicultural landscape.

Xu Weiqiang, director of the Xujing Town Community Cultural Activities Center, noted that Xujing has hosted the International Cultural Exchange Festival for 15 consecutive years and has seen strong participation from overseas residents in the community.

Furthermore, through special cultural events like the Four-Leaf Clover Art Festival and the New Xujing Talent Competition, the community continually enriches cultural exchange platforms, facilitating improved communication, interaction, and integration among expatriates, newcomers to Shanghai, and residents.

Xujing's prime location and favorable ecological surroundings have made it a sought-after residential community for numerous expatriates, currently housing nearly 15,000 overseas residents.

Source: Qingpu district government