2024 Fudan University Sino-Foreign Students Singing Gala was held by School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) and International Cultural Exchange School (ICES), under the guidance of International Students Office (ISO)
On the evening of Nov. 29, international and Chinese students from various Fudan departments jointly presented a musical feast in Xiang Hui North Hall.
The SIRPA cheerleading squad kicked off the show in vibrant attire, electrifying the crowd with their flawless splits and impressive lifts.
The audience was treated to a medley of Indonesian national songs, performed by Lovena and Shania from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature. They conveyed their deep affection for their homeland, showcasing Indonesia’s natural splendor and rich folk cultures.
The rendition of Auld Lang Syne by LI Yaning and Meshkat from Bangladesh, accompanied by WANG Xinrui on the violin, truly captured the essence that friendship is boundless. Yaning and Meshkat even sang the song in multiple languages. “What’s really fascinating is that when we rehearsed in front the canteen, many Chinese and international students stopped to listen,” WANG Xinrui shared. “They told us that our performance was beautiful and melodious.”
During “A Starry Dream”, a performance by Sruang from Thailand and Ms. ZHAO Xiaohui, the lights dimmed and the audience swayed their flashlights in rhythm with the music. Reflecting on the experience, Sruang said, “This is my first time performing on stage, and singing with my teacher at Fudan has given me a lot of confidence and helped me stay calm.” He continued, “A Starry Dream is a beloved Chinese song, and every time we sang it, it filled us with warmth and a sense of unity. I hope we have conveyed these emotions on stage.”
Abdurrahman Krueger from Germany led us into a realm of enchantment with his poker cards. The talented magician astounded everyone by accurately locating the cards marked by the audience and revealing the wake-up times of two randomly selected audience members who were invited on stage. “I hope to pass the joy and fantasy to the audience and it’s really a pleasure to perform here,” said Abdurrahman.
The gala wrapped up as all performers took to the stage once more to sing We Are the World in unison. Some audience members made their way up to the stage to hand flowers to the performers, and the event’s crew members were also invited to bask in the spotlight.
“I feel really connected and united, and it’s truly a wonderful night, Nataila and Maria from Russia, who performed “Alexandra”, shared their sentiments.
“The atmosphere is fantastic because everyone is cheering and enjoying themselves. It’s also the same backstage. I didn’t know anyone at first, but I’ve made friends with other performers, and we might even sing together in the future,” Shirley, who performed “All I Want”, added.
Samana, who was both an emcee and a performer that night, sees the gala as more than just a platform for Chinese and international students. “It’s also a stage where Fudaners from around the world, of all ages, came together to experience a vibrant exchange of cultures and ideas.”
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Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer: ZHOU Yiting
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie