Amid a joyful atmosphere, SHSID welcomed its 30th anniversary. To celebrate this special milestone, the G7 Chinese Department organized a Chinese talent show on Thursday afternoon, allowing students to showcase their talents and express their love for the school. With diverse program formats and exceptional performance skills, the G7 students not only provided the audience with a visual and auditory feast but also conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the school.

The show was divided into three spectacular parts, presenting the touching aspects of Chinese culture before the audience's eyes. Guided by the four hosts from classes 7-2 Celestine, 7-8 Alina and Ryan, and 7-9 Esther, the introduction was accompanied by a video filled with cherished memories from the school campus, immersing everyone in a delightful ambiance.

The first section, titled "The Source of Spirit," began with performances that revolved around ancient Chinese culture. It showcased the beauty of timeless poetry through melodic recitations, graceful dances, humorous crosstalk, and lively fast-paced storytelling. 7-6 Eric captivated the audience with his recitation of "Li Sao," a masterpiece of poetry passed down through the ages. 7-11 Cici and 7-12 Emma demonstrated the charm of the Chu region as depicted by Qu Yuan in "Nine Songs" through their elegant dance performance. 7-9 XiaoXiao and Sophie brought forth the joy of learning Chinese through their crosstalk piece titled "I Love Learning Chinese." Lastly, 7-10 Arden and 7-9 William presented the depth and vastness of Chinese culture through a witty and humorous fast-paced storytelling piece titled "Eastern Transformation."

The second section, titled "Song of Youth," showcased the vibrant energy of youth through various performances. 7-9 Edwin enchanted the audience with his melodious solo rendition of "Blue and White Porcelain." Students from the non-native Chinese class, including 7-2 Jayden, 7-5 Austin, 7-6 Bugeon, and 7-7 Alfie, presented a skit titled "I Want to Be on a Talent Show," showcasing their dedication and efforts in learning Chinese, which earned them resounding applause. In addition, the crosstalk performance titled "Learning Shanghai Dialect" by 7-1 Elaine and 7-5 Amy not only expressed their love for the school but also for the city we live in. Finally, 7-1 Alexandra, 7-7 Irune, 7-9 Cici, 7-11 Cici, and Michelle concluded this section with an award-winning original poem recitation titled "Youth," expressing the passion of their youth and their hopeful anticipation for the future.

In the final segment, titled "Dreams of Time and Space," 7-9 Claire presented a modern interpretation of traditional culture through her Beijing Opera performance of "Goddess Splits the Mountain." Meanwhile, 7-9 Dylan, Rachael, Jade, and Amber presented a stunning and heartwarming shadow puppetry titled "A Guiding Light for SHSID," expressing their gratitude and blessings towards the school. In addition, there are Guzheng skewers performed by 7-1 Alice, 7-7 Catherine, and Yui, as well as pipa and piano ensembles by 7-11 Elsa and Stephanie. They played classic and modern pop songs, and the beauty of Chinese music's rhythm resonated deeply in different time and space. Finally, the skit by Emma from 7-3, Amelia and Emma from 7-6 — "Three Kingdoms" brought the emotions of the entire audience to a climax.

The entire show was filled with the vitality of youth and a deep love for Chinese culture. The students expressed their gratitude towards the school through their talents and showcased the charm of Chinese culture to the audience. Not only did everyone enjoy the splendid performances, but it also ignited a greater interest and love for learning Chinese and traditional culture.

The successful organization of the G7 Chinese Talent Show not only celebrated the 30th anniversary of SHSID but also carried on the inheritance and promotion of Chinese culture. Through such activities, students not only displayed their talents but also gained a deeper understanding of the rich connotations of Chinese culture. This not only enriched their learning experiences but also contributed to the diversified development of the school's culture.

Over the past thirty years, the SHSID has been committed to cultivating outstanding students with an international perspective and profound knowledge of Chinese culture. The successful organization of the 7th-grade Chinese Talent Show once again demonstrates the school's successful practice in fostering students' comprehensive qualities and cultural confidence. With the guidance of the school, it is believed that students will continue to promote the treasures of Chinese culture, bringing more amazement and inspiration to the world. May the brilliance of this performance continue to shine, illuminating the future path of SHSIDers.

Written by Hazel

Pictures by Ginger

Edited by Serene Yang, Cynthia Xie (Intern), Niall Keenan