On April 24, the closing ceremony of the "Bridging Cultures, Celebrating Chinese Spring" Sino-French Youth Chinese Culture Exploration Spring Camp (YES Group), jointly organized by Dalian University of Foreign Languages and the International School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, was held at the International Cultural Exchange Center of Dalian University of Foreign Languages. Zhang Guoqiang, Vice President of our university, and Thierry Stéphanie, Vice Principal of the International School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Representatives from both schools and relevant departments were also present.
In his speech, Vice President Zhang Guoqiang stated that the spring camp, with culture as its bond, successfully established a platform for in-depth dialogue between Chinese and French youth. He emphasized that the event not only showcased Dalian's cultural heritage and developmental vitality through historical sites, traditional crafts, and modern landmarks but also embodied the concept of "mutual learning among civilizations" through the efforts of young participants. He expressed his hope that students from both countries would take this opportunity to become cultural ambassadors, sharing their experiences in China upon returning to France to present an authentic image of China; to become facilitators of cooperation, promoting exchanges in education, art, technology, and other fields to inspire innovation; and to become guardians of friendship, sustaining the amicable ties between China and France.
Vice Principal Thierry Stéphanie spoke highly of the practical significance of the spring camp in her address. She thanked Dalian University of Foreign Languages for its meticulous organization and warm hospitality, noting that the French students gained a profound appreciation for the diverse charm of Chinese culture and the innovative vitality of contemporary China through language learning, cultural experiences, and field visits.
Vice President Zhang Guoqiang and Vice Principal Thierry Stéphanie jointly presented completion certificates to the participants.
Representatives of Chinese and French students shared their reflections on the spring camp, expressing how the event deepened their understanding of Chinese culture. Both sides gained a deeper insight into the cultural concept of "appreciating one's own beauty and sharing the beauty of others," reaching a consensus. A cultural performance followed the ceremony.
The spring camp, with culture as its medium and youth as its bridge, successfully established a practical platform for mutual learning between Chinese and French civilizations. From "first encounters" to "profound connections," the students from both countries broke down barriers through dialogue and forged consensus through collaboration, injecting youthful energy into the deepening of Sino-French cultural exchanges. (By Wang Yimo and Sun Jiuxiao)
