On Dec 29, the SCO Children's and Youth Art Exhibition and SCO Kunming Marathon Retrospective Exhibition opened at Yuan Xiaocen Art Park of Dianchi Lake National Tourism Resort, Kunming, Yunnan province.

The scene of the event. Photo by Hu Xinyun

The scene of the event. Photo by Hu Xinyun

The SCO Marathon is a unique competition in the world, initiated and named by an international organization, with Kunming as its birthplace. This retrospective exhibition documents the history of the SCO Kunming Marathon. The SCO Children's and Youth Art Exhibition was established in 2019, showcasing artworks created by children and youth aged 5 to 16 from SCO member countries, sharing their hopes for peace, mutual care, and a shared future.

Outside the venue, dancers in vibrant national costumes greeted each guest with joyful steps and warm smiles, while folk musicians played traditional instruments nearby, their beautiful melodies complementing the dances.

Performers welcome the guests. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Performers welcome the guests. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Performers welcome the guests. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Performers welcome the guests. Photo by Hu Xinyun

The narrator first led the guests to visit the SCO Kunming Marathon Retrospective Exhibition, where photos and data recorded the glorious journey since the inaugural marathon was held in 2016. Following that, the guests arrived at the exhibition site of the SCO Children's and Youth Art Exhibition. The theme of this exhibition is "The SCO Family in My Eyes," featuring nearly 300 outstanding works from children and youth from 14 countries, including India, China, and Pakistan. The artworks express heartfelt calls for peace and friendship, a passionate yearning for green development and technological innovation, as well as depictions of iconic landmarks in their own countries and in China. Among them, 50 works created by children from Yunnan, themed "The Spring City in My Eyes," stood out in this exhibition.

Guests visit the exhibition. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Guests visit the exhibition. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Guests visit the exhibition. Photo by Hu Xinyun

After the visit, amidst cheerful music, the guests joined the ethnic dance performers in a lively Yunnan dance. Everyone held hands and formed a circle, collectively experiencing the unique charm of Yunnan's ethnic culture.

Guests dance with ethnic performers. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Guests dance with ethnic performers. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Guests dance with ethnic performers. Photo by Hu Xinyun

Guests dance with ethnic performers. Photo by Hu Xinyun

The successful hosting of the SCO Children's and Youth Art Exhibition and SCO Kunming Marathon Retrospective Exhibition not only provided a new platform for cultural exchange and cooperation among SCO member countries but also made a positive contribution to promoting mutual understanding and friendship across different cultural backgrounds.