A young Kazakh choir captivated the audience with long, flowing harmonies that evoked the vast Central Asian steppe. Their later performances blended traditional instruments and folk melodies with pop arrangements, while choreography drew inspiration from wrestling and horseback riding — a vivid mix of tradition and modernity rooted in grassland culture.

Despite the language barrier, their songs and dances left a strong impression on the audience.

Zhuldyz Telkhozhayeva, the choir's artistic director, said she adapted household folk songs by adding contemporary elements — such as drumbeats layered over traditional dombra (a two-stringed plucked instrument) compositions — to reflect the younger generation's engagement with their cultural heritage.

The performances were part of a cultural exchange event held from Nov 28 to 30 at the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center in the border city of Horgos, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The three-day event, organized by the Horgos International Communication Center and the National Foreign Cultural and Trade Base (Ili), featured discussions on youth roles in cultural exchange and efforts to preserve Silk Road heritage in the age of social media.

Around 100 youth representatives, artists, and media professionals from countries including China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan attended.

The opening ceremony presented a variety of programs showcasing Chinese and Kazakh cultures. Apart from Kazakh songs and dances, young Chinese performers demonstrated classical dances, kung fu tea rituals, and the face-changing stunts from Sichuan Opera.

Kazakh artist Aiya Akhan, dressed in traditional attire and a saukele headpiece, performed a solo dance. The 24-year-old has been interested in Chinese culture since childhood. She studies Chinese, uses chopsticks at home, and has visited China twice. She hopes to return someday to learn more.

Jiuliduzi Baketinuer, an ethnic Kazakh from Urumqi, served as the guide for a visiting group from the Kazakh National University of Arts in Astana. Throughout the trip, she encouraged conversations between Kazakh and Chinese youth to deepen mutual understanding. "These students from Kazakhstan are truly outstanding and hardworking," she said. "They are eager to excel in their fields and introduce their culture to the world."

Jiuliduzi, 30, studied performing arts in South Korea and is now a graduate student in journalism in Almaty. She noted that globalization and the internet have brought the values and interests of young people in both countries closer together.

She praised Kazakh youth for embracing multi-hyphenate identities, pursuing professional careers while developing creative passions — like Akhan, a law graduate working at a bank who is also a dancer and wedding planner. Jiuliduzi herself teaches dance and Korean in addition to hosting cultural events.

Youth in action

Duisenbek Aibolat, a Kazakh sophomore at Xinjiang Normal University, said young people in both countries are finding new ways to balance heritage preservation with modern innovation.

He noted that Kazakh youth are incorporating dombra melodies into symphonies, using traditional yurt-making techniques to build guesthouses, and applying technologies such as AI, VR, and livestreaming to revive intangible cultural heritage. Meanwhile, their Chinese peers are using advanced digital tools to restore cultural relics and integrating traditional embroidery into modern fashion.

Yuan Yingzhi, a graduate student at the Institute of Silk Road Economy and Management at Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, focuses on Central Asia's trade policies, cultural traditions, and regional cooperation. She stressed that young researchers have a responsibility to provide academic support to facilitate cultural dialogue and promote shared prosperity between civilizations.

During the event, participants also explored traditional Chinese culture by experiencing medical therapies, trying on hanfu attire, and practicing calligraphy, paper-cutting, gourd pyrography, and making dumplings and tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls).

Cao Guangyao, who has practiced gourd pyrography for 12 years, said he was impressed by the participants' concentration as they tried the craft, which demands precise control of temperature, hand pressure, and speed. A South Korean student inscribed "South Korea" and "China", with a heart between them.

Guan Junchang, director of the Horgos International Communication Center, said the event was both a celebration of art and a chance to foster dialogue. "We hope this platform promotes deeper interactions between Chinese and Central Asian youth in culture, art, and ideas, working together to build a more open, inclusive, and friendly neighborhood relationship."

Contact the writers at fangaiqing@chinadaily.com.cn