Kazan students arrive for weeklong exchange

Video and photos by Liu Xudong

A group of students from the SOLNCE School in Kazan, Russia, arrived at Shenzhen Nanshan Arts & Sciences Experimental School Group Kechuang School on Friday, kicking off a weeklong cultural exchange program that aims to bridge continents through education and friendship.

A Kazan student (C) reacts warmly to the enthusiastic welcome from peers at Shenzhen Nanshan Arts & Sciences Experimental School Group Kechuang School on Friday. Photos by Liu Xudong

The visit marks the first in-person interaction between the two schools since they signed a sister school agreement in March, which was facilitated by the Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office. It follows three online exchange sessions focused on cultural sharing, campus life, and building personal connections.

Upon arrival, the Kazan students were welcomed with a ceremony featuring a joint performance of the Russian folk song “Katyusha” by student representatives from both schools. The familiar melody seemed to instantly dissolve initial language barriers.

Kazan students perform on stage during a welcoming ceremony at Shenzhen Nanshan Arts & Sciences Experimental School Group Kechuang School on Friday.

Following the ceremony, icebreaker games helped the students from different backgrounds connect. Shy at first, students from the two schools found themselves laughing together during a game of charades, using gestures and bits of English and Russian to communicate words like “badminton” and “accordion.”

A campus tour offered glimpses into daily school life at Kechuang School. The Kazan students were greeted warmly by their Kechuang peers, who quickly moved in to chat with them.

The highlight for the Kazan students that day was experiencing traditional Chinese arts firsthand. During a calligraphy demonstration, students carefully tried writing the character “Fu,” which means good fortune.

Students proudly display the Chinese characters they wrote during the exchange tour Friday.

“It was very interesting. I like calligraphy a lot,” said Ildar, a 15-year-old student from the SOLNCE School, who tried calligraphy for the first time.

“I think it’s really fun. I enjoy calligraphy and I like the smell of ink,” Sofia Fedotova told the Shenzhen Daily.

Later, at a paper-cutting workshop, the Kazan students managed to cut intricate and beautiful patterns and pasted them onto silk fans with patient instruction and help from their Chinese peers.

“Both paper-cutting and calligraphy are mesmerizing experiences for us. Paper-cutting is kind of difficult because it requires a lot of attention,” a student named Ilgiia shared.

A Kazan student (L) tries traditional paper-cutting with guidance from a Chinese student.

The school visit is part of a broader exchange. The Kazan students will spend a week participating in classes, cultural activities, excursions, and homestays with student families from Kechuang School, further deepening their understanding of Chinese culture and daily life.

Officials from both schools hope the exchange will foster lasting friendships and provide valuable cross-cultural learning experiences for all participants. The visit is seen as a tangible step forward in deepening educational cooperation between China and Russia.

A Kazan student (3rd R) poses with her counterpart from Shenzhen Nanshan Arts & Sciences Experimental School Group Kechuang School. 

More Photos: