Zhangyang village in Yixing, a county-level city in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, became a bustling center of youthful energy from Jan 16 to 18, hosting the inaugural Yixing International Youth Festival.
The event drew about 520 young participants from across the globe, including those from France, Italy, and the United States.
Alessandro Martini, an Italian social media influencer, speaks at the Youth Entrepreneurship Forum. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Among them, over 280 international youths, entrepreneurs, and scholars exchanged insights on international community development and startup experiences at the Youth Entrepreneurship Forum, a highlight of the festival.
Alessandro Martini, an Italian social media influencer and speaker at the event, emphasized the festival's innovative nature. "This kind of event is very common in big cities, but it's rare to see them in China's countryside," he said. "It's a creative way to encourage new businesses and attract international visitors."
A band parades through the Yixing International Youth Festival's market. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
To bring in talented young individuals from around the world to contribute to local rural vitalization and urban development, the forum launched a global youth partner recruitment initiative with incentive prizes of up to 20,000 yuan ($2,869.80). Running until March 31, this initiative focuses on technological innovation, rural cultural tourism, and cultural creation.
Beyond that, a diverse array of food and goods from China and other countries, including Nordic beverages, Yixing pottery, as well as Mexican tacos, created a unique culinary experience. "The stalls of the youth festival are absolutely wonderful," said Elizabeth Cooper, a participant from South Africa. "Everything is really well put together and organized."
Italian singer Alessia Raisi (middle) poses for a group photo with participants at the Yixing International Youth Festival. [Photo/en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Jazz and rock performances, along with lively parades, sparked waves of excitement with visitors singing along, dancing, and taking photos with performers. Stephen Sturdevant, a participant from the United States, expressed his enjoyment of the shows, saying "It wasn't just a performance where you only watched others dance, but it was the one where they invited us to join in!"
Italian singer Alessia Raisi highlighted the festival's role in fostering global connections among young people. "I'm always very happy to do cultural exchanges with young people," she said. "Bringing together diverse cultures helps break barriers and create new bridges for communication."
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