A cultural exchange extravaganza between Zagreb, Croatia, and Wuxi, Jiangsu province, recently commenced in the capital of the European nation, setting the stage for a blossoming friendship between the two nations.

The event, "Wuxi (Zagreb) Cultural Industry Cooperation and Exchange Meeting", was coupled with a Chinese tea culture exhibition.

Notable attendees included Branko Balon, chairman of the Croatia-China Friendship Association, Yang Haiyan, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb, and Ivan Bosnjak, chairman of the Croatian Wind Music Association, alongside assorted Croatian guests and representatives from diverse sectors.

Within the main exhibition area last Friday, visitors encountered a plethora of highlights across five distinct themed areas.

The Harmony of Sounds section saw the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra collaborating with local musicians, intertwining Jiangsu folk tunes with Croatian melodies and showcasing Wuxi's heritage as the "hometown of Chinese folk music".

Utilizing AI, the Water Rhyme Light and Shadow segment interpreted classic visuals and unveiled the shared water system utilization wisdom between China and Croatia.

The Thousand Years of Tea Talk zone recreated the ambiance of Jiangnan (Southern Jiangsu) tea gardens, offering attendees an immersive experience to learn about tea culture through tea-picking activities, with the opportunity to acquire unique cultural and creative mementos.

In the Intangible Cultural Heritage Craftsmanship area, the artistry of Yixing purple clay teapots and Huishan clay figurines, among other Jiangsu intangible cultural heritage crafts, left art and design students in awe of the exquisite craftsmanship on display.

The Listening to Wuxi photo exhibit showcased the allure of Wuxi's music culture. Complementing the exhibit, tea ceremonies and innovative tea beverages at the tea bar enabled attendees to immerse themselves in the traditional charm and innovative spirit of southern Jiangsu culture.

The Zagreb event was part of the Jiangsu Week of the Grand Canal Culture in China series, which is set to captivate audiences in Belgium and Croatia. It commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union.

The event was jointly organized by the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, the Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, and the Jiangsu Provincial Association for External Cultural Exchange.