The 2025 Lanzhou University International Summer Program Closing Ceremony & Youth Dialogue is Held

On July 24, the 2025 Lanzhou University International Summer Program (LZU-ISP) Closing Ceremony & Youth Dialogue was held at the Yifu Science Building in the West Campus of Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. Young students from 21 countries and regions gathered to mark the successful conclusion of a 13-day journey of cultural exchange and intellectual engagement.

Closing Ceremony Scene

Photo by Wang Juan

​At 9:00 a.m., the closing ceremony kicked off with a video themed "Chasing Light in Summer: Recalling Our Shared Journey", recalling highlights from the students' 13-day research tour along the Hexi Corridor—ranging from the legendary Bronze Galloping Horse unearthed at the Leitai Han Tomb in Wuwei, to the exquisite mural art of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, and the historical resonance of Jiayuguan Pass. These cultural landmarks were woven together into a vivid chronicle of cultural dialogues. A volunteer representative then delivered a speech under the theme "Building Bridges of Hearts", sharing touching stories of how Chinese and international youths overcame language barriers to build deep bonds of friendship during the program.

The cultural performance became a vivid tribute to the legacy of Silk Road civilization. A performer of Hua’er, a genre of Gansu’s intangible cultural heritage, sang Small Old Man and Congratulations, using powerful, soaring melodies to express the vitality of the Loess Plateau. A solo dance Sanskrit Melody, which reproduced the iconic Pipa (a traditional Chinese string musical instrument) pose from Dunhuang murals, gracefully bridging ancient and modern aesthetics. Then came the soul-stirring sounds of the Mongolian horse-head fiddle, as White Horse and Ten-Thousand Horses Galloping evoked the vastness of the grasslands and the thousand-year symphony of nomadic life and Silk Road trade. These three distinct art forms brought together on one stage, vividly embodied the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures along the Silk Road. The performances drew wave after wave of applause and filled the hall with electrifying energy.

In the subsequent TED speech session of "Youth · Thinking", Erica Lo Presti from University of Rome, Hana Mohamed Farouk ElAssar from Universidad Nebrija in Spain, and Matsuru Hoshi from the University of Ottawa in Canada shared their insights on various topics and their experiences during the summer program. The students then continued the cross-cultural dialogue through music — with a solo performance from the opera Season of Love and a group rendition of the Italian song Because I Love You. At 10:15 a.m., the certificate award ceremony took place. One by one, the gold-stamped certificates bore witness to the students’ achievements and personal growth.

In the final session, the students delivered speeches around the theme "Jointly Exploring the Future · Sharing the Same Adventure", reflecting on their visions and aspirations.

Group Photo

Photo by Wang Juan

The program transformed the concept of the "Silk Road" from a historical term into a tangible network of international cooperation. The intellectual sparks generated during this vibrant exchange will continue to illuminate the path of mutual learning among civilizations. The success of the event not only underscored the value of cross-cultural engagement, but also demonstrated the power of youth in fostering global dialogue and promoting the shared future of humanity. (Text by Hai Yue)