By Zhang Lijuan,Wang Xiang

‘New Youth,New Future’ Asian Youth Music Festival rocks Nanjing

Cheering audience at the Asian Youth Music Festival.

The “New Youth,New Future” Asian Youth Music Festival kicked off in Nanjing,capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province,on October 28.Talented young artists,bands,and singers from China,Japan,the ROK,and ASEAN countries gathered to share a stage and be part of a youth musical and cultural feast dedicated to peace and friendship.The festival attracted more than 20,000 spectators.

When addressing the opening ceremony of the festival,Chen Wenge,president of the Center for the Asia-Pacific under China International Communications Group (CICG Asia-Pacific),called Asia the most dynamic region in today’s world,where countries are connected by mountains and rivers and enjoy cultural affinity.For young people,he said,music is a mainstream method to communicate and express themselves,and the music festival provided an opportunity for participating artists to celebrate friendship while delighting the audience with youthful melodies about Asia.The event aimed to contribute to the creation of a new era of Asian civilization and construction of an Asian community with a shared future.

In his speech,Deputy Secretary General Zushi Shuji of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat commented that the boom of pop culture in contemporary times,facilitated by ongoing digitization,has made music even more important in terms of bringing people of different nationalities together.“This music festival is helping revitalize and increase the momentum of people-to-people and cultural exchanges among China,Japan,the ROK,ASEAN countries,and the rest of the world,” he remarked.

Sun Yi,director of the General Affairs and Coordination Division of the ASEAN-China Center(ACC),noted that building and promoting inclusive Asian values has become the common pursuit ofthe peoples of Asia.Music transcends national boundaries and cultural differences,and the ACC sees music as an important channel for China and ASEAN countries to explore opportunities and enhance exchange.It stands ready to work closely with all partners to plan,sponsor,organize,and support cultural activities of all kinds,he added.

Guests celebrate the opening of the Asian Youth Music Festival.

Wang Hanping,vice president of CICG Asia-Pacific,released the “New Youth: Asian Youth Music Creation Program” on behalf of the organizer.The initiative will invite internationally renowned artists and young Asian musicians to co-create outstanding musical works with Chinese elements and Asian cultural characteristics through international exchange and cooperation.

The “Oriental Home” series of original songs was also released on the occasion.“President Xi Jinping proposed that China and ASEAN join hands to build a peaceful,safe,secure,prosperous,beautiful,and amicable home in the region,charting a course for China-ASEAN relations,” Wang said.“Inspired by this,we invited well-known composers,singers,and directors from China and ASEAN countries to produce this album with hopes of deepening exchange and mutual learning among Asian countries through music.Let us press forward towards the goal,hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder.”

At the opening ceremony,Wang Wei,a Party chief of CICG Asia-Pacific,and Yuan Zeming,designer of the mascot “Niu Man Man” for the Asian Youth Music Festival,jointly unveiled the mascot.

Niu Man Man resembles an ox from the front but a snail from the side.Designer Yuan explained that the vibrant dynamics behind the slogan of the festival,“New Youth,New Future,” inspired him to capture the vibrancy of young people who keep moving forward while maintaining a stable mindset.

The youth are shaping a new future.Music transcends national boundaries.This grand international music festival offered a shocking surprise for sensory organs.Through comprehensive application of modern audio-visual stage technology,the festival innovated expressive forms of traditional concerts by combining music with tradition,animation,and futurism.Soloists,new-age bands,rappers,pop groups,and other performing artists of different styles from a wide range of Asian countries and regions brought pop,hip hop,ballads,and impressive choreography to the stage.With passion for music supported by talent,the artists showcased the power of Asian youth to the world.

Asian Youth Music Festival attracted tens of thousands of fans.

Additionally,a Dialogue on Asian Cuisine and Culture was held on the sidelines of the festival.While enjoying the musical feast,attendees could taste food from all over Asia.They experienced the diversity of Asian cuisine and explored the unique cultures associated with each offering,from ingredients to cooking techniques.Traditional food from different countries showcased the inheritance and innovation of Asian food and highlighted the unique charm of Asian culture,which has helped Asian youth build emotional resonance.

“I didn’t expect the Asian Youth Music Festival to be so cool,and the performances were wonderful,”exclaimed Liu Yixin from Beijing.“I hope this music festival becomes a regular event.”

Two South Korean students from Nanjing University of the Arts reported that they were attending a concert in China for the first time.According to the girls,the Asian Youth Music Festival was amazing,the lighting and sound harnessed modern stage technology,and both singers and dancers were quite talented.They were also impressed with the delicious foods such as barbecue.

This event was jointly hosted by CICG Asia-Pacific,the Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation,and the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat,and received great support from the diplomatic services of China,Japan,the ROK,and ASEAN countries.