Global youth embrace Yan'an's spirit

Top: Lee Che-young participates in a paper-cutting workshop during a cultural exchange trip to Yan'an, Shaanxi province, held from Feb 9 to 12. Above: Li Yiwei tries calligraphy while visiting a museum in Ansai, Yan'an. Right: Rio Ohori poses for a photo at Ganquan Canyon in Yan'an. CHINA DAILY

Students from around the world connect with Yan'an's revolutionary history and vibrant folk tradition, sharing stories from diverse cultural perspectives.

Although it wasn't his first visit to Yan'an, a city in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, Jiang Debin gained a deeper understanding of it when he returned in February with a group of international youth.

"My fellow travelers came from diverse backgrounds, and our different perspectives allowed us to explore Yan'an in unique ways, creating richer and more vivid stories," said Jiang, 20, a student at the Communication University of China (CUC).

This cultural exchange, organized by CUC and the Yan'an municipal government, took place from Feb 9 to 12. More than 20 young participants from countries including China, South Korea, Albania, Japan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka came together to experience Yan'an's enduring spirit and vibrant folk culture.

What made the trip particularly special was that these young people walked the same ground once visited by US journalist Edgar Snow (1905-1972), the first Western journalist to report from China's revolutionary base areas.

His book Red Star Over China (1937) documented the country's struggles and achievements, leaving a lasting impact on how the world viewed China's revolution.

Deng Liya, director of Yan'an's bureau of culture and tourism, noted that 2025 marks the 120th anniversary of Snow's birth.

"We hope more young people from around the world will visit Yan'an, just as Snow did, and experience the true heartbeat of this land through their own eyes," Deng said.

One of the most memorable stops for the students was the Yan'an News Memorial. Jiang recalled seeing a rusted mimeograph machine in the museum, which made him feel as if he had stepped back in time. He could almost picture the dedicated journalists of the past working tirelessly, determined to share the truth despite the hardships of war.

"Even in such harsh conditions, these pioneers never gave up on their mission. It was truly inspiring," Jiang said.

Beyond its revolutionary history, Yan'an is also known for its rich folk traditions. During the visit, students took part in activities such as waist drum dancing, yangko dancing, and paper-cutting.

Li Yiwei, 20, a student at CUC, had little prior knowledge of waist drum dancing before the trip. But when he and his international peers joined the locals in the dance, he was amazed to see people of all ages — men, women, and even children — enthusiastically participating in this traditional art form.

"The most exciting moment was when two African students faced off with a local drummer in a dance battle, with everyone gathering in a circle to cheer them on," he said. "Seeing young people from different countries embrace this cultural tradition made me feel like we're all part of the same family — the global village."