On my first day at the 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), I did not expect the experience to begin with confusion.
With 8 exhibition halls spanning 160,000 square meters, the venue felt overwhelming. Despite the excitement, I soon found myself totally lost at one of China's largest cultural industry events.
But it was precisely in that moment of disorientation that the story began.
I met two Italian volunteers, Gloria and Luca, who are also students learning Chinese in Shenzhen. They were working at the fair to help visitors navigate the massive exhibition space. They kindly guided me to Hall 11, the International Cultural Trade Hall.
Inside Hall 11, cultures came together in one space. Exhibitors from Egypt, Mali, Nepal, France, India, Vietnam, Italy, and many other countries presented their works, ideas, and creative industries in a shared environment.
For the Italian volunteers, the experience was equally memorable. Luca described ICIF as the largest event they had ever participated in, noting the difference between working on-site and their previous experiences. The scale, diversity, and intensity of the fair left a strong impression.
Besides guiding visitors, they also introduced me to the Italian exhibition area, featuring a special showcase inspired by the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Through their explanations, the artworks felt more alive, not just as exhibits, but as stories carrying centuries of cultural imagination.
Walking through the exhibition with them, I began to see ICIF differently. It is not only a platform for exhibitions or business exchange. It is also a space where people from different countries meet, communicate, and share perspectives, often in unexpected ways.
For me, what started as getting lost inside a massive venue gradually turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of the day. Because sometimes, getting lost is exactly what leads you to the world.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Cameraman: Guo Hongda, Li Fangwang
Video editor: Guo Hongda
Photo: Guo Hongda
Poster: Li Fangwang
