International students from Russia, Iran and other countries performed the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower during a campus music festival held on December 25 at South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
The music festival featured different styles of performance, including Chinese folk music, tango, Western musicals, pop songs, and traditional Chinese dance, aiming to provide students with a chance to share music and engage in cultural exchanges.
Jasmine Flower, one of China's best-known folk songs, uses the image of a jasmine blossom to convey beauty and purity. Widely sung in China, the song has also been performed abroad, including at the 2004 Athens Olympic closing ceremony. As a well-known Chinese melody internationally, it is a popular choice for non-Chinese performers.
At the music festival, Jasmine Flower was performed with its original Chinese lyrics and received a warm response from the audience. Several international students said the song left a strong impression despite language differences.
"It's a great song," said Mohammed Wali, an international student from Iraq. "I think all Chinese songs are great because they also touch our souls. When I listen to Chinese songs, I engage with my whole body, not only my ears."
Russian student Iana Savko said the song conveyed a sense of beauty that was easy to feel, even without fully understanding the words. "I think the song is about the beautiful jasmine flower, connected with some of the best feelings in the soul," she said. From a musical perspective, she added that the composition stood out. "I think Russian composers would love this song because it's really professional and very comfortable to listen to."
Other performers said the festival provided valuable experiences beyond the stage. "It is really important to participate in performances like this,” said Alina Rusanova, also from Russia. "You take away a lot of emotions, a lot of good experiences, and you meet other people who can become your friends."
She added that the atmosphere of the event encouraged more participation. "Such shows give us a warm feeling," Rusanova said. "I think it really motivates me to take part in more performances."
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | Qin Shaolong
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
