Recently, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Chengdu Municipality, in collaboration with the Chengdu Municipal Education Bureau, sent a delegation of 12 teachers and students from the North-West High School of Chengdu China to visit Kazan, Russia, for the 9-day BRICS Youth Festival 2025 at the invitation of the government of Kazan, Russia, an international friendly cooperative city of Chengdu. Now, let us revisit some memorable moments from the event!

 

 

At the BRICS+ International Olympiad in Mathematics and Informatics, a core event of the festival, the students from the North-West High School of Chengdu China delivered exceptional performances and secured 8 silver medals and 10 bronze medals. On this high-level international competitive platform, the students earned unanimous recognition from judges and fellow contestants from other countries through their robust knowledge foundation, flexible thinking skills, and strong psychological resilience.

 

 

At the BRICS+ Youth Mock Summit, the students acted as “youth diplomats” and exchanged views with the Mayor of Kazan and youth representatives from other BRICS countries on urban development, cooperation in science and technology, and other topics. Their constructive proposals were well-received by all attendees.

 

 

At the Meeting of the Committee on Youth Policy and Education, Zhou Zhuguang, Vice Principal of the North-West High School of Chengdu China addressed the conference as a representative of Chengdu’s education sector. He shared insights into the highlights of Chengdu’s educational advancements and systematically elaborated on the school’s educational philosophy and student development goals from multiple perspectives, including curriculum development, student activity design, and the promotion of education for international understanding. His presentation received high praise from the attending education representatives from various countries and contributed Chengdu’s valuable insights to international educational exchanges.

 

 

During the Country presentation, the students delivered a captivating cultural exhibition revolving around the theme of “Past, Present, and Future”.

 

In the chapter of “The Past”, a youth-led speech guided the audience through Chengdu’s 4,500-year history, allowing the international audience to clearly understand how inheritance and innovation have sustained the prosperity of this millennia-old city. In the chapter of “The Inheritance”, the students demonstrated the enduring vitality of Tianfu culture through a performance of Sichuan Opera feather dance, an introduction to Shu embroidery techniques, a guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument) performance of Blue and White Porcelain, and other performances.

 

In the chapter of “The Present”, the students showcased the inclusive spirit of Chengdu as an open city through ethnic dances, choral performances, and other arts, prompting rounds of applause from the audience. Participants from various countries eagerly captured the highlights with their mobile phones, allowing traditional Chinese culture and unique Chengdu culture to shine in the global spotlight.

 

 

During the festival, the delegation actively participated in a wide range of cultural exchange activities, including Sabantui, the National Costume Show, the STEAM Culinary Masterclass, and the Ice-Snow Show. Through sincere interactions with young people from other countries, the delegation forged profound friendships and injected youthful vitality into the cultural exchanges among BRICS countries.

 

“We have witnessed the most vivid outcomes of education for international understanding in our children’s sincere exchanges and reluctant farewells. This event has not only broadened the students’ international horizons but also sown the seeds of friendship and cooperation in their hearts,” Vice Principal Zhou Zhuguang shared during a sharing session after returning to China.

 

Xiao Yangxing, a 12th grader from the school, remarked, “When I left Kazan, I took with me not only a valuable commemorative medal but alsoa renewed understanding of the world. The young people from BRICS countries, like sparks, ignited the flames of understanding and cooperation through exchanges.”

 

 

Sharing Opportunities and Achieving Win-Win Outcomes through Openness. The festival not only provided Chengdu’s youth with an international platform for mutual learning but also marked a new starting point for deepening friendly cooperation between Chengdu and Kazan. We anticipate continued strengthening of educational and cultural exchanges between the two cities in the future and their contribution of youthful energy to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Chengdu Discovery