On the early summer night of June 11th, as a slight warmth lingered and a gentle breeze swept through, the cheers of Xiangya scholars filled the air, breaking the mild chill and lighting up the night sky. The Grassland Concert for the 2023 Graduating Class of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, unfolded on the lawn of the new Xiangya campus sports field. This event, a gift for graduating students, served as the grand finale of their university journey, blending laughter and tears. Chen Xiang, Executive Vice President of Central South University and President of Xiangya School of Medicine, joined other university leaders, alumni, and parents at the on-site event, which attracted nearly 4000 participants, with an additional 20,000 joining online.
Chen Xiang's Message to the Graduates
Speaking on behalf of Xiangya School of Medicine, Chen Xiang extended warm wishes to the graduates of 2023. He eloquently shared thoughts about the prime years of youth, filled with passion, dedication, and meaningful contributions. Chen encouraged the graduates to set sail from Xiangya, following in the footsteps of previous generations, embarking on careers in medicine, healing the sick, and contributing to the well-being of the people.
The concert unfolded in four chapters: "Singing with Passion," "Youthful Journey," "Chronicles of Time," and "Flowing into the Sea." Through diverse performances, including choir, band, and skits, the concert created a captivating audio-visual experience. The emotional and uplifting atmosphere resonated with the students, igniting their courage to face the future and inspiring them to continue the noble tradition of serving the nation in the field of medicine.
Program: Chinese Lights in the Night
Program:Pursuit
Program:International Song
Opening with the performance of "Chinese Lights in the Night," followed by Cai Jingyang's "Pursuit," and the rock rhythm of the "International Song," the "Singing with Passion" chapter set the tone for the concert. It ignited the passion in the hearts of Xiangya students, filling them with the courage to move forward and contribute to the construction of the country.
Program:Do You Want to Dance
Program:A Bottle of Magic Potion for You
Program:Mother or Daughter
Program:Mountain and Sea
Segment of Confessions
In the "Youthful Journey" chapter, performances like "Do You Want to Dance," "A Bottle of Magic Potion for You," "Mother or Daughter," and "Mountain and Sea" depicted the vibrant and colorful youth of Xiangya. "Mother or Daughter" expressed the deep affection in the hearts of Xiangya youths, singing their love for their alma mater. In the live confession segment, students boldly expressed their feelings to academic role models, elder sisters, and even their parents, breaking free from traditional Chinese reserve and adding an emotional touch to the concert.
Program:I Look Forward
Program:Blue Lotus Flower
Program:Shooting Star + Pink Venom
Program:Love Song 1990
In the "Chronicles of Time" chapter, the song "I Look Forward" and renditions of "Blue Lotus Flower" and "Shooting Star + Pink Venom" brought a nostalgic and time-traveling dialogue to the stage. Chen Xiang, the Party Secretary of Xiangya, and his generation of students, who entered Xiangya in 1990, sang "Love Song 1990," taking everyone back to their youthful days.
Program:Entering the Sea
The concert concluded with the "Flowing into the Sea" chapter, featuring a skit titled "Entering the Sea," which depicted the choices and persistence of this generation. Finally, led by Chen Xiang, all the faculty and students sang the "School Song of Xiangya School of Medicine," creating a medical symphony of a great era with their youth.
In the thousand-year waves of the Xiangjiang River, the bright moon remains the same; in the four seasons of Xiangya, from dawn to dusk. Graduates have spent the best years of their lives at Xiangya, and today they take pride in Xiangya, while Xiangya will always be proud of them. Best wishes to all the graduates of the class of 2023 at Xiangya, may you have a joyful graduation and come back often!