“O Sport! You are Peace!” international festival was held at VolSU

Volgograd State University has hosted the “O Sport! You are Peace!” international festival. The event was organized by the Department of Physical Education and Wellness Technologies and International Office of VolSU with the support of partners from China: Jilin University and Zaozhuang University. The festival was held outdoors in the Student Garden of VolSU and was also broadcasted online for colleagues from Chinese universities.

The festival was opened by Acting Rector of VolSU, Prof. Elena Russkova.

“Each country has its own sports traditions: in Russia, for example, such sports as gorodki and lapta originate from popular folk games. In China, much attention is paid to traditional martial arts and breathing practices, on which wushu, Taijiquan and qigong are based. I think we are all very interested in learning what sports are popular in other countries, and maybe even adopting some good elements, as well as share our own sporting achievements with our colleagues and friends in China. Sport has always been and will remain a source of noble, peaceful and friendly competition among young people of all countries!” Prof. Elena Russkova noted in her address to the sports festival guests.

The participants of the event were also greeted by the Rector of Zaozhuang University, Prof. Li Wenxi:

“Since the establishment of friendly relations between our universities in 2018, we have achieved remarkable results. Today's sports festival is a good opportunity to continue our comprehensive practical cooperation. We are confident that the “sports exchange” will contribute to the prosperity and well-being of our universities, their professors and students,” Rector Li Wenxi said.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Physical Culture and Sports of the Volgograd region, Ms. Alina Demina, also addressed the festival participants.

“Students of Volgograd State University actively participate in sports events in the region and win awards there. I would like to wish young people not only sporting success, but also to enjoy the competition. You are our future! Stay strong in the pursuit of your goals and love sports!” Alina Demina noted.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Physical Culture and Sports of the Volgograd administration, Mr. Alexander Bondarenko, also wished good luck to all the festival participants.

“Nowadays, it is important and necessary to develop international cooperation and sport helps to establish friendly ties. As a graduate of Volgograd State University, I am glad that the festival is being held here, at VolSU. I wish the students that every day is full of new ideas and victories. May the years at university become unforgettable and vivid. I wish all the participants further sporting achievements,” Alexander Bondarenko said.

In addition, festival participants watched a video greeting of the Director of the Institute of Physical Education of Jilin University, Prof. Qiu Peng:

“The event celebrates not only sports, but also spirit. I am sure that such events will contribute to the further fostering of sports enthusiasm among Russian and Chinese students and will also become an important platform for exchange and interaction between them. According to the classical Russian author, Nikolai Gogol, “Youth is happy that it has a future.” I hope that Russian and Chinese students will take full advantage of this opportunity in order to better understand each other, deepen their friendship, fulfill their ambitions and enjoy life in the name of youth,” Prof. Qiu Peng said.

Employees of the Cossack Center for Public Service and the Strigunok Club of the Voroshilovsky Cultural Center of Volgograd were the first to perform, demonstrating a dance with Cossack sabers. VolSU students showed exercises from qigong, having taken a couple of lessons from colleagues from Zaozhuang University and Jilin University in advance. The skill of the athletes of the Sambo Federation of the Volgograd region also impressed the audience. The pupils of the Phoenix Wushu Sports Center demonstrated the art of Chinese dance, earning a round of applause from the audience.

A video from colleagues from Zaozhuang University about dragon boat racing became the highlight of the event. This is a national water sport in China, in which athletes compete in rowing on wooden boats carved and painted in such a way that they resemble real dragons.

In the final part of the festival, VolSU students presented a Sports Kaleidoscope performance, where they showed their skills in basketball, volleyball, football, kettlebell lifting, badminton, gymnastics, acrobatics, fitness, aerobics and marching.

2022 and 2023 have been declared the Years of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports. The “O Sport! You are Peace!” festival is intended to introduce the youth of the two countries to the glorious sports traditions and spiritual practices of Russia and China.