Under the warm winter sun along the Huangpu River, the fragrance of books gathered friends from afar. On January 29, 2026, the launch ceremony of the 8th "Shanghai Get-Together" Writing Contest and the "Across Mountains and Seas to the Huangpu River" New Year celebration for international students, jointly organized by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, and the Shanghai Library, was successfully held at the Shanghai Library East.
Distinguished guests, including Chen Jing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Su Lin, Vice President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Yang Chunhua, Party Secretary of the Shanghai Library; and Ni Jun, Deputy Party Secretary of the Shanghai Library, attended the event. Together with over a hundred international students, teachers, and student representatives from around the world, they witnessed this profound gathering that blended cultural depth with heartfelt warmth.
The event began with a speech by Su Lin, Vice President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, who eloquently spoke about Shanghai’s inclusiveness and humanistic spirit. In her remarks, Yang Chunhua, Party Secretary of the Shanghai Library, emphasized that the library has always served as a cultural ambassador and a bridge for Sino-foreign cultural exchanges, as well as a "public cultural living room" for this vibrant city. Subsequently, Ni Jun, Deputy Party Secretary of the Shanghai Library, officially unveiled the main visual design for this year’s "Shanghai Get-Together" writing and short video contest and introduced the event procedures. Since its inception, the "Shanghai Get-Together" Writing Contest has been successfully held seven times. This year, the addition of a short video component not only continues the tradition of conveying genuine emotions through words but also aligns with the trend of diversified expression. The aim is to encourage more people to record Shanghai’s development, changes, and humanistic warmth through writing and filmmaking, realizing the vision of "letting the world see Shanghai and letting Shanghai see the world.
"The cultural sharing section was filled with warmth. Yi Jie, a past awardee from Pakistan, shared his inseparable bond with Shanghai through his writing, expressing deep affection and attachment to the city in every word. Danny, a "foreign shopkeeper" from the Netherlands, shared his entrepreneurial journey and life in Shanghai via a short video, recounting his fascinating experience of becoming a "Shanghai expert." His story vividly illustrated the dynamic integration of Chinese and foreign cultures. Both speakers’ stories reflected not only a personal connection with the city but also showcased Shanghai’s inclusive spirit, with the Shanghai Library serving as a witness and disseminator of these precious narratives.
The cultural performance section was a brilliant display and a vivid carrier of cross-cultural exchange. International students from the Shanghai Normal University recited Tang poetry, allowing centuries-old classics to transcend linguistic and national boundaries and radiate new vitality. Tongan students from the Shanghai Ocean University performed a dance that brought the passion and rhythm of the South Pacific islands to the venue, as unrestrained and warm as the sea breeze. African students’ dance performance, with its powerful drumbeats and lively movements, showcased the unique charm of African culture. Though distinct in style, all three performances conveyed the cultural ethos of "appreciating one’s own beauty while celebrating the beauty of others," earning rounds of applause from the audience.
With the official announcement of the event’s launch by Chen Jing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the 8th "Shanghai Get-Together" writing and short video contest embarked on a new journey.
In the second half of the event, the Shanghai Library deliberately organized an "Across Mountains and Seas to the Huangpu River" New Year cultural feast for international students. The Horse Zodiac Art Exhibition allowed participants to immerse themselves in the depth of traditional Chinese zodiac culture, while Hanfu dress-up experiences offered a hands-on appreciation of the beauty of traditional Chinese attire. The intangible cultural heritage rubbing activity enabled attendees to touch and feel the warmth of traditional culture. Through immersive and interactive cultural experiences, the Shanghai Library allowed international students to embrace the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year amidst laughter and joy, deepening their understanding and appreciation of China’s rich cultural heritage.
The 8th "Shanghai Get-Together” writing and short video contest has now officially begun. It invites all international friends studying, working, and living in Shanghai to share their observations and feelings through writing and to capture the city’s brilliance through their lenses. The Shanghai Library looks forward to joining friends from around the world in understanding and falling in love with Shanghai through words and images, ensuring that every sincere emotion leaves a lasting imprint on this city and that Sino-foreign friendship continues to flourish through cultural exchange.
