On the evening of October 15, 2025, a grand gala to celebrate National Day and welcome new students was held at the Conference Center of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School .

The gala venue

The gala hosts
As night fell, the venue was aglow with lights. On stage, traditional arts and modern technology complemented each other, while classic performances alternated with original creations, offering novel forms and rich content. Amidst dazzling lights and warm applause, the gala unfolded in a festive atmosphere filled with youthful passion, fully showcasing the enterprising spirit and vibrant energy of the PKU SZ student body.
The curtain rose. A thematic recital, "The Mountains and Rivers Will Not Forget, History Will Not Forget, The People Will Not Forget," was passionately presented by representatives of teachers and students from PKU SZ, the Affiliated High School of Peking University, Shenzhen, and Xili Primary School. As the stage lights brightened, images of a monument appeared on screen, a red ribbon unfurled, a trumpeter played a stirring melody, and six reciters stood in formation. Their powerful, modulated voices, filled with remembrance and respect for revolutionary martyrs, ignited a sense of national pride among the audience, drawing prolonged applause and setting a solemn yet stirring tone for the evening.

Thematic recital "The Mountains and Rivers Will Not Forget, History Will Not Forget, The People Will Not Forget"
As music filled the air, the first segment featured the flag-presenting ceremony for PKU SZ volunteer representatives heading to the 15th National Games. To resounding applause, Tan Wenchang presented the flag, symbolizing honour and duty, to the volunteer representatives. This was not merely a ceremony but a solemn pledge, marking the commitment of PKU SZ youth to serve enthusiastically on the front lines of the Games, contributing their wisdom and strength.

Flag-presenting ceremony for PKU SZ volunteer representatives for the 15th National Games
The musical "Another Day of PHBS," presented by students from the HSBC Business School, featured a lively melody and performers in colourful costumes singing and dancing on stage. A backdrop screen showed synchronized sports scenes, highlighting the positive and dynamic spirit of the students.

Musical "Another Day of PHBS"
A fantasy campus play, "Hogwarts: Memories of Nan Yan Yuan," presented by the School of Environment and Energy, propelled the atmosphere to a new high. Against mysterious and intense music, actors vividly portrayed a magical adventure set in the "Nan Yan Magical Campus." A surprise shower of candies descending from above made the audience feel as if they were in a world of wizardry.

Fantasy campus play "Hogwarts: Memories of Nan Yan Yuan"
Students from the Student Art Troupe Dance Team performed the ethnic dance "The Beauty of Cantonese Embroidery." Dancers in elegant, graceful costumes took the stage slowly holding embroidered fans. Their light steps, elegant postures, and nimble fan movements wove together into a flowing poetic picture of Lingnan, showcasing the delicacy of Cantonese embroidery and the soft beauty of Eastern dance.

Ethnic dance "The Beauty of Cantonese Embroidery"
Alongside the performances, the eagerly anticipated first interactive segment – "King of Karaoke" and the "Shake-for-Lucky-Carp" lottery – took place. As music played, the audience participated enthusiastically. On stage, contestants sang their hearts out, displaying their youthful flair, while off stage, applause and cheers rose and fell, building a crescendo of excitement. The "Shake-for-Lucky-Carp" lottery further electrified the atmosphere as lucky winners were announced one after another, amidst cheers and applause.

"King of Karaoke" interaction

"Shake-for-Lucky-Carp" lottery
As the stage lights brightened once more, the sketch "Such a Rehearsal," from the School of Urban Planning and Design, opened the second chapter, "A Symphony of Diversity, Building New Dreams Together." Set against the backdrop of auditions for the welcome gala, the sketch used vivid scenarios, humorous dialogue, and natural acting to show the passion and vitality of urban planning students as they pursued their dreams and learned to collaborate.

Sketch "Such a Rehearsal"
The energetic street dance "What is Love?" by the Student Art Troupe Street Dance Team instantly ignited the atmosphere. Dancers in bright pink stage costumes moved in perfect unison with fluid, sharp steps, vividly expressing youthful passion and energy. Interwoven lights and pyrotechnics on stage fused the rhythms of youth and music in a perfect moment.

Street dance "What is Love?"
The campus sitcom "Survive STL," presented by the School of Transnational Law, humorously depicted the growth and transformation of new students adapting to life at PKU SZ. With authentic performances, the actors recreated scenes from classroom learning and cross-cultural exchanges to daily campus life. The participation of international faculty and students added an international flavour and vitality. The distinct characters and relatable scenarios resonated strongly with the audience.

Campus sitcom "Survive STL"
The song and dance performance "New Materials Rhythm, Marching with Musical Dreams," from the School of Advanced Materials, energized the crowd with its youthful melody and dynamic dance moves. The performers used their voices and dance steps to express their passion and hopes for the future. Bright, vivid images flashed on the screen behind them, with youthful smiles interacting with the stage lights, creating a jubilant atmosphere.

Song and dance performance "New Materials Rhythm, Marching with Musical Dreams"
During another break between performances, the highly anticipated second round of interactions took place – "Fun Encyclopedia Quiz" and the "Cube Roll Screen" lottery. Students competed actively to answer witty questions on stage, eliciting waves of laughter and applause, while the lucky draw further fuelled the excitement, with surprises and cheers echoing throughout the hall.

"Fun Encyclopedia Quiz" interaction

"Cube Roll Screen" lottery
A medley titled "Summer Prelude" by the Student Art Troupe Electro-Acoustic Band opened the third chapter, "Hearts Set on the Future, Setting Sail with the Wind." On stage, guitars, keyboards, and drums interplayed as the lead singer's passionate voice seemed to transport the audience into a vibrant and hopeful summer movement. Songs like "Summer Breeze" (Note: Assuming '夏日漱石' refers to a song; used placeholder), "Taro Love," and "The First Day" with their upbeat rhythms infected everyone present. The audience waved and cheered to the beat; the lively interaction kept the energy high, infusing this chapter with a free-spirited and uplifting youthful energy.

Song medley "Summer Prelude"
The song and dance performance "Youthful Music and Dance Trio" from the School of Information Engineering sparked a new wave of excitement with its澎湃 rhythm and energetic choreography. Accompanied by the dynamic melodies of the band, performers sang and danced fervently under the enhanced lighting and sound effects, the passion and vitality of youth pulsating with every move.

Song and dance performance "Youthful Music and Dance Trio"
The campus play "Genetic Epic," presented by the School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, offered a feast of imagination where science met art through unique creativity and clever storytelling. On stage, actors dressed as 'wizards,' complete with wands, brought complex concepts of genes and algorithms to life with their lively performance.

Campus play "Genetic Epic"
The finale was a period showcase, "Tapestry of Time, New Style of Nan Yan," presented by representatives of the 2025 intake and the Student Art Troupe Group Dance Team. The act cleverly blended styles of clothing, music, and cultural elements from different eras. As stage lights shifted and visuals intertwined with music, the atmosphere grew warm and infectious. The audience was transported through a corridor of time, feeling the infinite possibilities of youth and dreams blossoming at PKU SZ.

New students' period showcase "Tapestry of Time, New Style of Nan Yan"
Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, the gala reached its climax with the much-anticipated final lottery draw. Prizes included exquisite PKU cultural gift packs and Huawei Nova11 smartphones. Applause and cheers swelled from the audience, filling the venue with tense excitement. As the lucky winners were revealed, smiles and surprise lit up faces, drawing the entire gala to a warm and memorable close, spreading the festive joy and blessings to every PKU SZ teacher and student present.

Final prize draw
Amidst laughter, applause, and cheers, the 2025 PKU SZ Gala Celebrating National Day and Welcoming New Students concluded successfully. This event was not merely an audio-visual feast but a spiritual gathering that united youthful strength and stirred national pride. The splendid performances from various schools demonstrated the vigorous and striving spirit of PKU SZ students, conveying a youthful determination to chase dreams and forge ahead. The call for a new journey has been sounded; the youth of PKU SZ will carry this fervour and passion, their hearts filled with love for their country, towards an even broader future.

Group photo