The 9th International Culture Festival at Harbin Engineering University (HEU) opened on 27 September as scheduled. Bringing together students from 67 countries and regions worldwide, the festival featured 50 national cultural experience booths showcasing distinctive exotic customs, alongside the debut of the Chinese Government Atomic Energy Achievements Exhibition and a brand-new International Student Recruitment Zone.

Following the opening ceremony, 30 splendid artistic performances were staged in succession, presented by international students from over 10 partner universities across China.

Beyond the main stage, all exhibition zones were brimming with a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Visitors could explore distinctive local artefacts, traditional handicrafts and immersive folk experiences from around the world, and enjoy a global culinary feast where international students personally prepared authentic flavours from their home countries.

A special stamp-collecting initiative was held on site. The first 1,000 guests who collected stamps from all participating nations received an exclusive festival souvenir – either a custom umbrella or a felt tote bag.

In the newly launched International Student Recruitment Zone, a number of employers presented internship and full-time vacancies, held job presentations and provided career consultation. The zone serves to interpret employment policies for international students, expand their development pathways, and build a bridge for mutual growth between young people from China and overseas.

Civilisations are enriched by diversity, enhanced by exchange and sustained by mutual learning. Looking ahead, HEU will continue to deepen Sino-foreign cultural exchanges, build high-quality exchange platforms, enable diverse cultures to flourish on campus, and contribute to nurturing outstanding talents with an international vision and cross-cultural communication competence.