Peking University, one of the most prestigious ancient universities in China, held its annual on-campus international art festival a few days ago. Though only in its third year, the festival has become an influential cultural activity at the university. The multicultural flavor of Peking University was highlighted during this year's festival. Our reporter checked out the exciting events at the festival.

Besides the usual carnival activities, such as celebration performances given by international students, each featuring their own national cultures, and a grand evening gala party that gathered some of the best of art troupes in China, a couple of new programs were also added to this year's festival lineup.

An Ambassadors' Forum was carried out for the first time during the festival, which featured dialogues between the students and some 30 or so foreign ambassadors and councilors in Beijing.

Opening with the question "What qualities should international students possess?", the dialogue soon moved on to more serious topics, such as globalization resulting in a "brain drain" in less developed countries, the necessity of promoting the national language in an English-language dominated world in order to preserve China's cultural distinction, and the internationalization the university.

Drawing on experience from their respective countries, the ambassadors' answers to the students' questions sometimes showed sharp disagreement.

Student: I'm from Yuanpei program. We've been talking the need of open mind. But I think some students are too eager to embrace the foreign world. It's like too foreign oriented. Sometimes we forget our own cultural route and forget our cultural identity. I think this is a serious problem. See, I think students preferring Starbucks to Chinese tea. This is an example. I'd like to hear ambassadors'opinion on how to maintain a balanced mentality in this global world.

Minister councilor from Argentine Embassy: Sorry. I'm not an ambassador. But I have a few year older than you. I would answer your question from the Greek philosophy. It's said during the life, we face different stages, which are thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, meaning that in thesis, you are very in for something, you are in one extreme, then in synthesis you are denying everything in the past stage, and then I hope not in the end of your life, you will reach synthesis, an equilibrium, the harmony. As a student you are in one stage, which is normal. You're learning another culture another language and eager to be part of it. There's nothing wrong. You were born a Chinese. No matter what other language you speak you're a Chinese. So don't worry. It's just a stage of the life."

Irish Ambassador: I think it worth reflecting on the fact that even as globalization develops. Globalization makes countries more confident. When countries are more confident, they are more active in the cultural sense. Let me refer to my own country, a country which is much involved in globalization. In the past ten years, our culture become much more vibrant than ever before and you now have the exporting of Irish culture, like River dance, a traditional Irish dancing, Irish singer Enya whom I think is quite popular in China, which is also based on traditional culture. That wouldn't be possible 15 years ago before we are internationally minded. So I think confidence and the development of international culture do not weaken culture. It strengthens culture because it makes people more confident in expressing and exporting their own culture. But finally you said you don't like students drinking Starbucks than the Chinese tea. Let me say Irish students tend to drink a beer called Cogenis. From my part I would much prefer that Irish students drink Chinese tea. More Chinese tea and less Irish beer."

Japan: "I'm a little different from the view of western observers. And it seem to me Chinese people are looking for national identity. We observe that Guoxue reviving in some universities, such as Renmin University. I think this is one symptom. After you successfully conducting opening up and reform policy, you achieved economic prosperity and you're looking for some Chinese spirit. I think this is very important. The world is watching carefully what kind of cultural idea Chinese young people will have and what they will behave in world society. I encourage you to continue to search for your national identity.."

Why are the ambassadors and councilors are so interested in this particular event? The Ambassador of Moldova in China, Iacov Timciuc /'jakov 'dimsjuk/ answered:

"The youth is the future for every country. For our country, this is the same. So we are here because we want to know what the students are doing, what problems do they have, what they need and some other thing. The Moldovan government and our embassy are also concerned about the future of our students and come here to see what is interesting to see here and what can we help."

The Minister councilor from Nigeria, Austin Baby Chukwurah, says.

"Because we participated last year and it was a success. Beida is opening the campus to making friends. China is now opening up. Now it's important for all the people to know China. This is time for China, the best hour for china. People are interested and people are willing to participated into this kind of show."

The international cultural exhibition called 'Around the Global Village' was also an important part of the festival. Students from 65 countries and regions dressed up in their national costumes, and displayed items that best symbolize their countries on their respective counters. They were the busiest at the festival, giving out brochures, answering questions and posing for pictures at the request of visitors.

"My name is Maxim, from Milano. I'm studying here, learning the language. This week is the week of Italy in the world and this year is the year of cuisine. So we bring here some aspects of Italy like pasta, the olyo, some wine, martini and also the harbor, the beautiful place for tourism, and design, also famous parts of Italy, and culture. We won the World Cup and so we want to underline these aspects so we put some T shirt and some posture of Italian team."

What does this festival mean to Maxim?

"It's important because we want to (let) china know what we are. China has a great history. It's important to know each other. Maybe China doesn't know Western culture just like we don't know the Chinese culture. So it's important to have an exchange. Because now with the globalization, everybody should know each other."

Amongst the dozens of photographs that portrayed the distinctive British identity at the Great Britain counter, one photo was particularly interesting. It was a kitchen window where several Peking roast ducks were displayed. Louis explained his purpose for putting the photo there.

"Over here we are in China, we want to show the great connections between England and China. England and china have a long history together, since the handover of Hong Kong. We want to tell Chinese people if they come over to England, what they can expect and what they can see. Chinese food is very popular in the UK. We want to display what English people like to eat. They like Chinese food. So we put up some pictures about Chinese restaurants."

At the Swedish stand, student Eskil Hallstrom was giving a Chinese student a quiz before he printed a stamp on the student's ticket.

"I'm giving out stamps for Sweden in this international cultural festival. But I'm not giving them to everyone. They have to answer some questions first and then I give them. If you get a stamp from every country, maybe you can win a prize."

What is the capital of Sweden?
--Stockholm.
And how many habitants? What is the population of Sweden? --Nine million.

The Chinese counter was turned into a live stage, with two student members performing famous traditional melodies on the Pipa and the Xiao. Another girl dressed in a traditional costume with wide sleeves answered visitor's questions.

Besides these activities, there was also a world cuisine sampling party, and an overseas student singing contest, both new introduction to the festival. As a result, large crowds of people, primarily students, were drawn to the campus.

"We enjoy it very much. Every year there's something different. It helps overseas students to showcase their own distinctive national culture. We also learn something about other cultures. It is also a chance for exchanges."

"My name is Eva, from Albania. It's very nice and give us the chance to show and let our country know by the Chinese. Really I appreciate this."

Xu Jie, a Student representative for the festival, described her enthusiasm for the event.

"Beijing University is an influential university. This festival is completely organized by the students themselves. With this festival, we wish to let the world see the creativity, enthusiasm, vitality and team spirit of Peking University students. We hope everybody can enjoy it."

Good food, good music, indigenous cultures from around the globe, some little presents and a lot of fun, are what made up this year's campus carnival. How could anyone not enjoy them? When I waved goodbye to the pair of stone lions standing at each side of Peking University entrance, even I was reluctant to walk away from the festive scene.

(CRI.com November 29, 2006)