A member of the Serbian youth delegation displays a fan with the Chinese characters for "Ningbo" written on it. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

The Ningbo Children's Library in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, recently welcomed a Serbian youth delegation, forging deep friendships and enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese and Serbian youth.

On Aug 14, the library was transformed into a vibrant hub of cross-cultural interaction as the Serbian delegation arrived for a special event.

As part of the festivities, the Serbian delegation donated a collection of 12 original Serbian and English children's books, enriching the library's multicultural resources and promoting international literary exchange.

The event put Ningbo's culture on full display, with performances ranging from the enchanting sounds of Yongju Opera to breathtaking traditional balancing acts. Young Serbians actively participated, applauding the performers' remarkable skills and interacting with their Chinese counterparts.

A special highlight was the Serbian basketball coach, Steph, who introduced Serbian youth to the basics of the Ningbo dialect, eliciting laughter and warmth from the audience.

But the real magic lay in the hands-on workshops, where the Serbians discovered the intricate beauty of Chinese traditions. They learned to wield brushes for calligraphy, sculpt paper into intricate patterns, and even brew fragrant tea.

"I am a lover of Chinese culture, and today's experience has solidified my passion," said Alexander, one of the Serbians, using the word "friends" to encapsulate the spirit of the day. "Serbia loves China," he added.

An official of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ningbo Municipal People's Government said that the event was a vital effort to strengthen Sino-Serbian relations and promote youth engagement in global dialogue.