“Ten-years Journey, and the Music Carries on.” The 2025 Water Cube Cup Awards wrapped up with a Spectacular Celebration of Chinese Language and Music.

Amidst warm applause and dazzling lights, the 10th Anniversary Awards Ceremony of the 2025 ‘Cultural China · Water Cube Cup’ Chinese Song Contest - Melbourne Division successfully concluded on the evening of July 24.

On this night, we paid tribute to growth through music and looked back on a decade upon the stage.

Over the past decade, the Water Cube Cup has witnessed the growth of countless children and captured the precious moments of countless families’ companionship. Ten years mark a heartfelt encounter between a generation of Chinese youth and their cultural heritage, as well as the unwavering dedication and commitment of those working tirelessly behind the scenes.

The awards ceremony was directed by Yanfeng Wang and was presented in five chapters: [A Decade of Growth], [The Seedlings Begin to Grow], [Long Live Youth], [Nurturing for a Century] and [Moments to Remember]. (十年树木，禾苗初长，青春万岁，百年树人，难以忘却）

Through diverse art forms including dance, choir, solo singing, instrumental performance, and crosstalk (Chinese comic skit), the event showcased the talent of the contestants and the enduring charm of the Chinese language.

The evening began with a violin performance accompanied by the opening dance, ‘Little Saplings’ 《小树苗》. A group of tender yet resolute young performers filled the stage with rhythms of hope and promise.

The opening dance by the Mo Yun Dance School (墨韵舞蹈学校) infused the stage with boundless energy, followed by a group chorus of ‘Forever Young’ performed by past award winners, expressing a decade of unwavering passion and dreams

Following this, the distinguished guests presented awards to the winners of the children’s category.

The gold, silver, and bronze winners of the children’s category performed a chorus of  ‘Rice Aroma’ 《稻香》, singing of the warmth and direction of home with pure, clear voices. They interacted with the audience using paper airplanes, filling the stage with playful charm.

Twelve-year-old Chen Qin Zhi, a member of the children’s group, moved everyone in attendance with a heartfelt performance of ‘I Love You, China’ 《我爱你中国》. Her tender voice conveyed immense power, perfectly synchronized with the dance troupe, expressing a young generation’s purest love for the motherland.

Next, the awards for the youth category winners were presented.

The youth category contestants performed a chorus of ‘Youth’ 《少年》, brimming with passion and energy. The gold award winner, Yin Junya, delivered a stirring rendition of ‘Extraordinary’ 《不同凡响》, creating a vibrant and dynamic scene of youthful exuberance alongside the dancers.

Next, the adult category winners were presented with their awards.

The fourth act, ‘A Century of Nurturing’, featured judges Yuan Shuai and Li Xiaoqian taking the stage to lead the song ‘Beneath the Flying Clouds’ 《飞云之上》, showcasing the spirit of legacy and tradition upheld by the Water Cube Cup Chinese Song Contest.

Adult category performers Du Yujia and Becky Bian delivered heartfelt renditions of ‘Chilè Song’ 《敕勒歌》and ‘Your Gaze’ 《你的眼神》, using their voices to convey the depth and reflections of life.

There was also a group chorus of ‘Against the Light’ 《逆光》, whose singing soothed hearts and inspired strength to move forward.

A special crosstalk segment, ‘Tales of Studying Abroad’ 《留学往事》, written and directed by Wang Yanfeng, allowed the audience to look back on authentic moments of cultural exchange with laughter and delight.

A collaborative performance of ‘Flowing Water’《流水》 combined the ancient Chinese Guqin with the Australian didgeridoo, evoking the profound imagery of a cultural dialogue

The backstage team of the Water Cube Cup, along with our supporters, came together to perform ‘A Group of Unforgettable People’ 《一群难以忘却的人》, paying tribute to everyone who has accompanied the contest over the past ten years.”

Finally, all performers joined together in a chorus of ‘As Desired’《如愿》, weaving solo leads and ensemble dance to ignite the climax of the evening.

This awards ceremony was not only a crowning moment of honour but also a testament to the cultural cohesion of Melbourne’s Chinese community. We thank all participants, both onstage and behind the scenes — it is your dedication that has made music a bridge connecting the past and the future.

Let us carry these memories forward, continuing to gather through song and to move ahead through culture.

🎤 The Water Cube Cup is more than a competition — it is a shared memory. Ten years, and we do not say goodbye.”

---

Image & Article from:

Melbourne Beijing Association

V头条

Article Edit/Translate:

Sarah Xia