Stage at beer festival brings dreams alive

Since the 22nd Harbin International Beer Festival opened on July 6 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, the Dream Stage at the center of the festival venue has been packed every night, bringing vibes to the passionate audience.

The 40,000-square-meter arena accommodates 30,000 people, and the annual festival usually lasts for three weeks.

Each week, electronic music festivals or concerts will be held, featuring star performers, top DJs and internet celebrities.

When night falls, the popular host "Bingcheng Zuoyouge" or "Brother Left and Right in Ice City" takes the stage to lead the crowd in the Rabbit Dance, marked by its playful left and right foot movements.

On Monday evening, the performances were even more enthusiastic than usual, with the main stage crowded with visitors.

Led by Bingcheng Zuoyouge, the audience waved red flags and sang along to Singing the Motherland, creating a touching ode to their love of their homeland.

"When watching the live broadcast of the dream stage during the Harbin Ice and Snow World last winter, I yearned for the scene of tens of thousands of people singing patriotic songs," said a tourist from Shaanxi province.

"Now I came to the scene and blessed the motherland with songs together, which made me quite excited and moved, and I also felt happy and proud of the prosperity of the motherland."

The audience reveled in the festival's offerings, which included classic nostalgia, contemporary fashion, dynamic dances and cool light shows.

This year's festival boasts the largest venue ever. Organizers say it's also the most diverse in terms of beer selection, aiming to provide a comprehensive cultural and tourism experience.

Harbin hopes to replicate its success in winter, when a record number of visitors flock to the city to admire its ice and snow scenery at the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which features numerous ice and snow sculptures and has long been a must-see for tourists from all over the country.

"If the popularity of Harbin in the last winter season represents tourists' favor for the city, the heat of this summer is the continuation," said Bingcheng Zuoyouge. "I believe most tourists are willing to come to Harbin because we have good natural scenery as well as historical and cultural resources."

"Harbin's summer is really cool and comfortable, but the hospitality of local residents is quite high," he said. "Furthermore, our consumption is lower than most tourist cities across the country. I hope that more visitors can come to Harbin to enjoy the cool weather of the ice city and feel the enthusiasm of local residents."