In the vibrant spring month of April, Manas University of Central Asia (MUCA) recently successfully hosted its highly anticipated 2025 International Cultural Festival. Themed “Silk Road Harmony, Cultural Symphony,” this year’s festival aimed to promote the spirit of the Silk Road and foster cultural exchange and understanding among Central Asian and “Belt and Road” countries, attracting enthusiastic participation from faculty, students, and local community members from over twenty nations.

During the festival, the campus was adorned with distinctive cultural booths showcasing exquisite handicrafts, traditional costumes, and specialty foods. International students from China, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries presented a dazzling array of artistic performances, including ethnic dances, traditional musical instrument recitals, and classic song renditions, offering the audience a spectacular audio-visual feast. Additionally, the festival featured language corners and cultural experience workshops, allowing participants to personally experience the charm of different cultures.

“I absolutely loved this cultural festival! I tasted Kyrgyz Kурдак and even learned a few simple Chinese phrases,” said Sophia, an exchange student from Germany, excitedly. “Events like this give us a chance to get up close and understand different cultures, which is very meaningful.”

Professor Ainur Samakova, President of Manas University of Central Asia, stated at the closing ceremony: “Culture becomes colorful through exchange, and civilization is enriched through mutual learning. As an international institution, Manas University of Central Asia is always committed to building bridges for cross-cultural communication. We hope that through events like the International Cultural Festival, we can enhance friendships among young people from all countries and cultivate future global citizens with a worldwide perspective.”

The successful hosting of this International Cultural Festival not only enriched campus cultural life but also further highlighted Manas University of Central Asia’s important position as a hub for cultural exchange in the Central Asian region.