Chengdu FISU Games Culture Area launches in style

Two days ahead of the Chengdu FISU World University Games’ opening ceremony, the Games Culture Area officially launched on July 26 with a firework of arts, traditional culture and sports!

Volunteers and spectators alike enjoyed a wonderful show at the Chengdu Guixi Ecological Park after a long wait of four years since the attribution of the multisports event to the southwestern Chinese city in 2019.

In the presence of Leonz Eder, Acting President of FISU, and Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General, a show of lights, music, acrobatics, magic and comedy was displayed by performing artists and adorable panda mascots.

The rain that fell upon the venue did not drown the festive spirit, for organizers informed that troubled weather is a sign of warm welcome in Sichuan province.

“Rain always honors distinguished guests, so Chengdu is welcoming you all” was the message which drew a warm round of applauds by hundreds of attendees.

FISU Director General Paulo Ferreira and Zhang Ruiqin, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Executive Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games, were invited on stage to exchange gifts and play the traditional drum, thus officially marking the opening of the Cultural Park.

This area, located in the south of Sichuan’s capital city, will offer many shows to watch, sport activities to participate in and products to be taken away in both static and dynamic ways, making it an interesting and interactive exhibition area of these Games.

For the whole duration of the FISU Games, a market will be available for purchasing official licensed souvenir products, and in doing so share ‘Chengdu Dreams’ with everyone. A few steps nearby, sponsors will also have stands to display their brands and products.

Finally, visitors will have access to sport-theme workshops, allowing them to learn about badminton, archery or basketball experiences in a fun and performance-centered way.

“It is a good initiative to promote the FISU Games and for the local community to learn more about this event, its sponsors and messages that are key to us,” said Lilia Barieva, FISU Education and Development Director.

As FISU’ mission and message go beyond sport, an Environmental Protection

Exhibition will also be displayed, in order to keep raising awareness about ecology in a playful way.

Participants will, for example, be invited to take part in the Carbon Integral Magic Cube, where they will put recyclable items such as cans, water bottles, paper cups and plastic bags into the Magic Cube, to get a certificate of Low Carbon Champion, which can be exchanged for gifts on site.

Others will be more tempted by the Power Bikes for Low-carbon Transportation, with which they will ride the power bikes at the designated cycling zone to light up the emblem of the Chengdu Games on the luminous energy wall.

Throughout the Games, the Culture Area will eventually provide the local community with cultural entertainment every day, from the ‘Thousand-year-old Tianfu’ immersive show (July 29-30) integrating music, dance, scenes and costume and combining Chengdu characteristics with poetic artistic conception, to the ‘Musical Chengdu’ special show (Aug. 3-8) to promote musical and cultural exchanges among the youth with renowned musicians.

Everyone better be ready as the Chengdu FISU World University Games are officially starting to shine at every corner of the city!

Written by Louis Gilles, FISU Young Reporter