He compared cultural exchanges to arranging different voices in choral music. "Only by listening to each other, coordinating and resonating with each other, can we appreciate one another's beauty and share beauty together," he added.

Hu Wangyihan, a student and choir member at the Affiliated High School of Fuzhou Institute of Education, said his choir has recently been fully absorbed in preparations for performing at the festival.

"Some members wrote the lyrics on the back of their hands," he said. "When we had our first rehearsal, the sunlight happened to pass through the hall's window. Then I suddenly realized: The encounter of different voices can create a miracle greater than a rainbow!"

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn