The 8th Silk Road Sand Painting Art Festival ran successfully from July 18 to 20 at Blanc de Chine–Dehua Porcelain Beijing Center, bringing together young artists, cultural representatives, experts and guests from various fields to explore the power of art in connecting civilizations and fostering dialogue across cultures.

Organized by the Beijing Belt & Road Cooperative Community and the Silk Road Cities Alliance, the festival was held as part of the ongoing people-to-people exchanges under the Belt and Road framework. Through sand painting—a creative language beyond borders—the event provided a platform for young people from different cultural backgrounds to share creativity, exchange ideas and deepen mutual understanding. Around 150 guests and participants gathered to celebrate art, friendship and international cooperation.

As a flagship program of the Silk Road & Young Dreams Initiative, the Silk Road Sand Painting Art Festival was jointly initiated in 2019 by the Silk Road Cities Alliance and renowned Chinese sand painting artist Su Dabao. Originally launched as the Silk Road International Youth Sand Painting Competition, the program has evolved through eight editions into an international cultural platform connecting young artists and cultural communities from around the world.

Over the past seven years, the program has expanded across China and reached Belt and Road partner countries including Malaysia and Nepal. It has brought together tens of thousands of young participants and artists from dozens of countries, becoming a meaningful platform for youth art exchange and people-to-people connectivity.

This year's festival featured a diverse range of activities, including sand painting showcases, a special exhibition of Dehua white porcelain, art exhibitions, cultural lectures and interactive experiences.

Distinguished speakers at the festival included Xia Boyu, legendary mountaineer and Laureus World Sports Award winner; Jia Yang, chief designer of China's Mars and lunar rovers; Cui Daiyuan, renowned cultural scholar; and acclaimed sand painting artist Su Dabao. They shared their personal journeys, professional insights and perspectives on perseverance, innovation and cultural exchange with the audience.

In his remarks, Su Dabao, Chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee, emphasized that sand painting is a fluid cultural expression appreciated worldwide. He said that he would continue using sand painting as a medium to tell stories of China and the Silk Road, inspire young generations through art, and promote friendship and mutual understanding among peoples.

Chen Xingtu, Chairman of Blanc de Chine–Dehua Porcelain Beijing Center, highlighted the historical significance of Dehua white porcelain as a treasured cultural product along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. He noted that the integration of intangible cultural heritage with contemporary sand painting represents a creative dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and modern artistic expression.

Representing the organizers, Wu Bixiu, Secretary-General of the Beijing Belt & Road Cooperative Community, said that "a small grain of sand carries a vision of harmony and shared prosperity." She noted that the Silk Road Sand Painting Art Festival is a vivid example of how cultural exchange can promote friendship among peoples. She expressed the organizers' commitment to encouraging more young people to become participants and ambassadors of intercultural dialogue through initiatives such as the Silk Road Youth Dream Initiative.

As a grassroots platform for Belt and Road people-to-people exchange, the Silk Road Sand Painting Art Festival will continue to use art as a bridge to connect civilizations, bringing together young people from around the world and contributing to greater understanding, friendship and cooperation among nations.