On International Children's Day, on 1 June 2026, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing, with the support of the Center for International Cultural Communication of China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Embassy of Romania in the People's Republic of China, organized the China–Romania cultural exchange event for children “拾光相伴·共绘童年” (“Together Through Time • Drawing Childhood Together”).
Held at the premises of ICR Beijing in Galaxy SOHO, the event brought together Romanian and Chinese children in a programme dedicated to literature, music, visual arts and cultural heritage, providing a framework for artistic expression and interaction among participants from the two countries.
The artistic programme alternated dance, poetry and musical performances presented by Romanian and Chinese children. The opening performance was delivered by He Yingying, Wang Ziyue, Liu Jiahui, Long Yunxi, Guo Jinxi and Qi Luoyi, who presented the dance “The Uyghur Girl”. This was followed by a section dedicated to Romanian literature, during which Smaranda-Marina Tomozei-Dimian recited “The Ballad of the Tomcat” by Nichita Stănescu, Ilinca Maria Tudor performed Mihai Eminescu's poem “Sleepy Little Birds”, while Ilinca Andreea Tomozei-Dimian presented “The Romanian Language” by Gheorghe Sion.
The programme continued with the a cappella choral performance “Dreams for the Future”, interpreted by Li Zhuoen, Tian Wenrui, Lu Mingze, Wu Zimo, Yang Fanghao, Wang Yaxuan, Liang Jiahao, Ding Shizhao and Xie Shuman. The section dedicated to Romanian children's repertoire included the song “An Elephant Was Swinging on a Spider's Web”, performed by Ariana Victoria Villarreal Vizitiu, aged five years and nine months, as well as the song “In the Mirror”, performed by Ruxandra and Antonia Necula.
The programme continued with the guzheng recital “The Big Fish”, performed by Wang Yixuan, Song Jiahui, Wen Jiahuan, Chen Youjia, Liu Mengxi and Liu Mengdi, and concluded with the traditional Romanian dance “Hora din bătrâni”, performed jointly by Romanian and Chinese children participating in the project.
At the conclusion of the artistic programme, the children watched the animated film “A Short History” (1956), directed by Ion Popescu-Gopo, the first Romanian short film to receive the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Through its economy of visual expression, subtle humour and universal dimension, Gopo's creation remains a landmark in the history of Romanian and European animation.
Under the guidance of their teachers, the children also created a collective artwork inspired by the theme of the event, bringing together visual motifs and symbolic elements drawn from Romanian and Chinese cultures. The event also marked the opening of the children's art exhibition “Together Through Time • Drawing Childhood Together”, featuring works created by 46 Chinese children and 11 Romanian children. Inspired by childhood, everyday imagination and intercultural encounters, the artworks will remain on display throughout the month of June at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing.
In addition to the artistic programme, participants attended speeches delivered by Claudiu Mihail Florian, Minister Plenipotentiary of Romania in the People's Republic of China, and Sun Ming, Director of the Center for International Cultural Communication of CICG, as well as a presentation of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing delivered by Andreea-Ema Stoian. The event concluded with an award ceremony for the exhibited works, with participating children receiving diplomas and distinctions.
Among those attending the event were Claudiu Mihail Florian, Minister Plenipotentiary of Romania in the People's Republic of China, Sun Ming, Director of the Center for International Cultural Communication of China International Communications Group (CICG), Su E, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the organization, representatives of cultural and educational institutions, members of the artistic community and media representatives from Romania and China, as well as numerous children and parents.
In his address, Sun Ming emphasized the importance of cultural projects dedicated to younger generations, highlighting their contribution to fostering creativity, intellectual curiosity and interest in cultural diversity. He also underlined the value of such initiatives in encouraging cultural exchange and direct interaction between young people from Romania and China.
The partnership between the Embassy of Romania in the People's Republic of China, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing and the Center for International Cultural Communication of CICG will continue through the development of programmes dedicated to children and young people, aimed at promoting education, cultural heritage and artistic creation as platforms for dialogue and cultural cooperation between Romania and China.
