On Saturday, the Confucius Institute at the University of Al Azhar Indonesia hosted a youth microfilm festival with the objective of strengthening the China-Indonesia ties.
Tens of microfilms combining Chinese with Indonesian culture were featured at the festival. All entries were made by students from Indonesian university.
According to Luizah F. Saidi, an Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture official, films which can easily and directly pass on information and knowledge may be utilized as a vehicle to encourage mutual understanding of cultures.
At the opening ceremony of the festival, Wang Zhixian, a secretary of the cultural section of the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, said that the exchange of youth is vital for the growth of China-Indonesia ties in the future.
Wang also encouraged both parties to increase cooperation in all aspects.
A microfilm competition was one of the highlights of the one-day festival. Twenty-six teams composed of students from Indonesian domestic university and from China joined the contest.
The featured microfilms, which combined Chinese and Indonesian lifestyles, were taken in both countries. The Indonesian youth expressed their appreciation for the Chinese culture through the entries.
Hundreds of film directors, producers and experts participated in the festival. They imparted their understanding on the vital role of films in encouraging the exchange of cultures.
An Al Azhar University student named Riyana Istiqoma said she was amazed at the films, which helped her discover China in different angles. She looks forward to an opportunity to study in China and to personally experience the Chinese culture and society.
The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by more than 300 participants, which included university professors and students, film experts as well as Chinese culture lovers.
The Confucius Institute in Indonesia hopes that the youth microfilm festival was able to give the China-Indonesia ties a boost.