Shanghai, July 26-Ten days ago, knowing nothing about each other, we congregated in Shanghai from all over the world; ten days later, having established deep friendship, it becomes so hard for us to say good bye to each other… On 21th July, the 12th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship came to an end with a farewell performance and tons of hugs and nostalgia.

Francesca Southwell, who is from Antigua and Barbuda and is the representative of all campers, said that the interactive friendship camp really lived up to its name and enhanced the understanding and friendly interaction between youth from all over the world. These days, she not only experienced Chinese culture, which is quite different with Antigua culture, such as the food and the mannerism, but also learned about diverse conditions and customs of different places in the world through the “ Theme Show on Nations”. She also gave a big thank you to all participants of the camp for making it so unforgettable.

Let’s take a selfie together!

In closing ceremony, Shane Strudwick, the lead teacher of Australia, showed us the video shot by himself, reviewing many wonderful moments in the past ten days.

With “peace, friendship, future” being its theme, the Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship was found in 2005, hosted by Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC) and Shanghai Youth Association (SYA) and organized by Shanghai Youth and Children’s Activity Centre (SYCAC). This year, nearly 130 teenagers and lead teachers from 22 countries，i.e. Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bulgaria，China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uzbekistan, UK, USA, have taken part in the camp. Among them, Antigua and Barbuda and Uzbekistan joined for the first time.

Within about two weeks, these teenagers，who are from different parts of the world and have different colors of skin, languages and cultural background， were allocated into 10 UN (United Nations) teams at random. They experienced traditional Chinese Tie-dye arts, Han Fu culture and homestay life experience of “ Being a Shanghainese for One Day”, took part in activities like “Theme Show on Nations” and “I Love Shanghai: International Youth City Hunt Competition” and also toured about old and new landmarks of Shanghai, such as the ancient town Jujiajiao, the city god temple (Chenghuang Temple), Huangpu River, Disneyland and Shanghai Natural History Museum.

What is worthy of mentioning is that it happens to be the 60th anniversary of the foundation of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries this year.

These gorgeous Italian girls bring us a collection of famous Italian songs. (The logo of SPAFFC successful steals the spotlight.)

Interacting joyously, communicating with each other and getting to know diverse cultures, what they harvest is the precious and sincere friendship! With this deep friendship with Chinese as well as campers from other countries in the world and unforgettable memory, they are about to leave Shanghai……

Miss You All ❤

In the singing of Auld Lang Syne, let’s us expect our reunion!

Miss You All ❤

Though the interactive friendship camp has already come to an end, we still have many fantastic stories, campers’ journals and lead teachers’ articles to be posted. Hope you can continue to pay attention to and support our account!

Special thanks to: Shanghai Youth and Children’s Activity Center, online celebration team and material team for 60th anniversary of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Other Countries.

Photo by: Lin Chunyue from Shanghai Youth and Children’s Activity Center

Written by: Wang Jiaye

Translated by: Chen Jialin