University talent showcase finale caps Yangtze cultural exchange week

By Wu Anya | dajiangnews.cn

At 6 p.m. on September 27, the grand finale of the 2026 Wuhu University Students Talent Showcase — titled "Youth Riding the Waves, Stars Shining over the Yangtze" — was held at Jiuzi Square as a key event of the 4th Yangtze River Cultural Exchange Week (Anhui · Wuhu). Despite the rain, many local residents gathered to watch, applauding the student performers warmly. The event was jointly hosted by the Wuhu Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Wuhu Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the Wuhu Municipal Students' Federation and Wuhu Media Center.

Jiuzi glowed with vibrant colors as youthful energy surged along the Yangtze. Sixteen finalists gathered at Jiuzi Square — eight vocalists pursuing their dreams through song, celebrating the cultural legacy of the Yangtze, and eight dancers illuminating the stage with movement, showcasing the power of youth. Launched in June, this edition of the showcase attracted students from 12 universities across the city and its counties, extending its influence to the Yangtze River Delta region. Following eight offline auditions and two promotion rounds, the 16 finalists took the stage at the Yangtze River Cultural Exchange Week. Contestants faced the rigorous judgment of professional judges and the popular vote of 10 public judges — a dual test on their journey to the highlight of youth.

The 16 groups poured their youthful energy onto the stage, channeling their heartfelt love for the motherland and boundless aspirations for the future into vivid performances. After more than an hour of outstanding performances, "Flower in the Water," performed by Liu Siyuan, and "Ambition," performed by Zhao Xinyue, won the top vocal honor, the Legendary Voice Award. Three contestants each also received the Dawn Voice Award and the Voice Presence Award. "Ripples of Lotus," performed by Jin Jiarui, and "Dream · Lotus of the Heart," performed by Yuan Na, Wang Jingjing and Zhong Meiling, claimed the top dance honor, the Peak Dance Award. Three contestants each also received the Dynamic Pioneer Award and the Dance Elegance Award. In the final moments, as the melody played, contestants, judges and audience members rose to their feet, waving national flags and singing "My Motherland" together, bringing the showcase to a successful close.