The International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads is an annual forum initiated by UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, local governments in China, and the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations (WFUCA), since 2017. The past Forums have gathered over 600 young participants from 137 countries, creating space for intercultural dialogue among youth from countries especially along the terrestrial and maritime Silk Roads.
The 2023 IYF was hosted by the cities of Changsha and Nanjing, themed Youth Engagement in Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, attracting 95 outstanding young representatives from 61 countries including one of the UN SDG Young Leaders. Apart from intensive high-level events and youth discussion sessions, Changsha and Nanjing also organized multiple cultural visits and interactive experience activities, leaving all the participants impressed by the “City of Media Arts” and “City of Literature”.
Read past articles:
活动回顾 | 2023“一带一路”青年创意与遗产论坛成功举办
精彩回顾 ① | 2023“一带一路”青年创意与遗产论坛：致辞集锦
精彩回顾 ② | 2023“一带一路”青年创意与遗产论坛：高级别论坛暨圆桌对话
精彩回顾 ③ | 2023“一带一路”青年创意与遗产论坛：青年之声
Tour of Media Arts in Changsha
As a famous cultural city with a history of 3,000 years, the UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts, the vibrancy of Changsha left a deep impression on the guests. On the evening of June 27th, guests and youth participants embarked on a night cruise along the Xiang River. Drones arranged words such as "Youth Engagement in Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion" and "2023 IYF", and greatly impressed international guests and participants. Together with the beautiful scenery of Changsha's "One River and Two Banks" light show and the wonderful performances of local intangible cultural heritage projects, the tour of “Media Arts” left an unforgettable memory for everyone.
On the morning of the 28th, the youth representatives visited P8, a sustainable innovation zone (known as Plan8t as well). The designer introduced the original design intention of Plan8t as an Innovation Space, Creative Incubator, and Immersive Lab. In the youth sharing session at P8, representatives of overseas students in Changsha shared their personal touching stories during studying, living and career development in the vibrant city of Changsha.
Tour of Media Arts in Changsha
Drones performance
Cultural interactive activities: Chinese Kungfu
Cultural interactive activities: the Flower Drum Opera
Group photo at the landmark of P8
Poetry Tour of Nanjing
On the evening of June 28th, guests and youth participants traveled to Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. On the 29th, all the participants went for “A Poetry Tour of Nanjing” which included multiple most well-known historical and cultural heritage in Nanjing. Youth participants climbed the ancient walls of Ming Dynasty, visited the Imperial Examination Museum, and stepped into the 'World Literary Salon' to touch on the city's history and immerse themselves inthe vibe of “UNESCO Creative City of Literature”.
Poetry Tour of Nanjing
Group photo in front of the City Literature Hall
Cultural interactive activities: Chinese Kungfu
Group photo at the City Wall of Ming Dynasty