The 2026 International Youth Band China Tour (Beijing) officially commenced on 20th September. Co-hosted by the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange, Ministry of Education and the Chaoyang District Commission of Education of Beijing Municipality, this prestigious event brought together exceptional bands from the USA, UK, Thailand, Russia, Hong Kong, and Macao. Together with top youth musicians from the Chinese Mainland, they presented a "symphony of peace and development."

As a key station of that exchange programme, YCIS Beijing was honoured to host the Children's Choir from the St. Petersburg Russian-Chinese Symphony Orchestra on 21st Sep. We embraced this opportunity to hold a unique cultural exchange, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival through the universal language of music.

When Music Meets Mid-Autumn Festival: A Cross-Border Dialogue Happens

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, YCIS Beijing students and teachers extended a warm welcome to our Russian friends. The afternoon provided a wonderful opportunity to share cultural traditions through hands-on handicrafts, allowing our guests to experience firsthand the exquisite charm of  Chinese heritage. The event opened with a breathtaking piano solo by Year 12 student Sean, who performed  Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata Third Movement. The moving notes provided an elegant prelude to the gathering that transcended language barriers.

Following the performance, our Year 12 students delivered a fascinating presentation in Chinese, English, and Russian, explaining the origins and symbolism of Mid-Autumn Festival. From the legend of Chang’e to the traditions of mooncakes and lanterns, our students drew upon their trilingual fluency to bring the cultural essence of the festival to life for our friends.

Traditions in Hand: A Shared Experience

The spirit of the festival transformed from the stage to the craft tables, as YCIS Beijing students and the Russian choir members worked side-by-side on traditional Mid-Autumn Festival handicrafts:

                                                                                                           Crafting dancing lion lanterns

                                                                                                      Creating mini-lantern fridge magnets

                                                                                                               Decorating embroidery bag

                                                                                          Creating traditional Chinese medicine herbs art

                                                                                                              Making snow-skin mooncakes

Those hands-on experience allowed everyone to discover the festival’s spirit of reunion and its inherent beauty. Amidst the laughter and shared creativity, new friendships began taking root.

Harmony Without Borders

In a heart-warming finale, the Children’s Choir of the St. Petersburg Russian-Chinese Symphony Orchestra performed moving renditions of Moscow Nights and Katyusha as a token of their appreciation for their YCIS Beijing hosts. These well-known melodies echoed through the campus, planting seeds of friendship and future collaboration in the hearts of all involved.

Embracing the World with Confidence

As an international school deeply rooted in China with a truly global reach, YCIS Beijing remains dedicated to nurturing cultural confidence and a global outlook in every student. Hosting the St. Petersburg choir was more than a cultural exchange; it was a profound meeting of hearts and minds. We believe that the friendship built today will flourish in the future.